First round, Thursday

• No. 13 Foran at No. 4 Mercy: Under first-year coach Scott Nails, the Lions found some sucess this season. Foran, however, will be no match for the Tigers. Pick: Mercy
• No. 12 Sheehan at No. 5 Wilbur Cross: A win to close out the regular season over East Haven clinched a conference tournament berth for the Titans. But the Governors athleticism, led by Chantell Alford, will be too much for Sheehan. Pick: Sheehan
• No. 11 Cheshire at No. 6 Hand: Hand swept the regular season series between these two teams. Kerry Wallack and Kate Clawson have been a solid one-two punch for the Tigers this season. But don't be surprised if Cheshire comes out on top. The Rams have the only legitimate inside duo in the conference in Norah Bahgat and Emily Thomas. And if Cheshire is hitting their shots from the perimeter, the Rams are hard to stop. Pick: Hand
• No. 10 Guilford at No. 7 Lyman Hall: Lyman Hall has been one of the more inconsistent teams in the conference, losing to Sacred Heart Academy and then losing by just nine points to Hillhouse. Led by the inside-out tandem of Lindsay Karle and Jen Ruys, if the Trojans are clicking they are tough to beat. If they're not, Guilford can win. Pick: Lyman Hall
• No. 9 Law at No. 8 Branford: Career coach Kevin Walton called Branford a sleeper in this year's tournament. Hornets junior Courtney Schissler is one of the top players in the confernece. So is Law junior Casey Dulin. Branford has more weapons to complement its star. Pick: Branford

Quarterfinals, Saturday at West Haven

• No. 8 Branford vs. No. 1 Hillhouse: Pick your poison. Dannisha Pierce? Andreanna Thomas? Bria Holmes? Hillhouse is the top seed for a reason and Branford will be the first team to find out why. Pick: Hillhouse
• No. 5 Wilbur Cross vs. No. 4 Mercy: In both regular season meetings this season, the Tigers came out on top in close games. Mercy may have problems with Alford and company, but the Governors have no answer for Rachel Roberts and Bianca Simmons. Pick: Mercy
• No. 7 Lyman Hall vs. No. 2 Career: The Panthers struggled late in the season, but are too talented and athletic for the Trojans. Both teams play an uptempo style. Career is just better at it. Pick: Career
• No. 6 Hand vs. No. 3 Hamden: The Green Dragons beat every team they were supposed to this season. They are favorite against the Tigers so there's no reason why this game should be any different. Pick: Hamden

Semifinals, Tuesday at West Haven

• No. 4 Mercy vs. No. 1 Hillhouse: There is no question that Hillhouse is talented. But they are young. And that may haunt them at this point. Plus, Mercy gave the Academics their only conference loss this season. Pick: Mercy
• No. 3 Hamden vs. No. 2 Career: Hamden hasn't proved they could beat a top-tier team this season. The Panthers knocked off the Green Dragons twice in the regular season and should make it a third. Pick: Career

Championship, Thursday at West Haven

• No. 4 Mercy vs. No. 2 Career: The Panthers may have beat the Tigers in the first two meetings and they may have a big-time player in Anisha Wilson. But Mercy has two in Roberts and Simmons. And that duo has a chip on their shoulder because: A. They missed seven games after being suspended for violating team rules and B. they lost in last year's SCC semifinals. A conference title would be a great way to redeem themselves and after winning eight straight to close out the regular season, who is to say they can't. Pick: Mercy

Chris Hunn, Chunn@nhregister.com