The CIAC has released its pairings for the girls' lacrosse Class L, M and S tournaments and some local New Haven area teams appear poised to make a long post season run.
In Class L, Cheshire is the No. 1 seed and has the talent and depth to get to the championship game this season led on offense by Maria Blois, Emma Farrel, Kathleen Kallbian and Alyssa Hague among others. But it won't be easy for the Rams in the upper bracket who could potentially face No. 8 Ridgefield in the quarterfinals and No. 4 Staples in the semifinals. No. 2 Newtown and No. 3 Greenwich are the top challengers in the lower bracket.
In Class M, defending champion Darien, the No. 9 seed, is the is the team to beat. The Blue Wave have five losses but they are the result of one of the toughest schedules in girls lacrosse in the state.
No. 1 New Canaan, No. 3 Wilton and No. 6 Barlow are the top challengers for the Blue Wave.
Hand, led by goalie Christy Forrest, and Guilford, led by high scoring Riley Smith and Leigh Rooney, have the talent to advance in Class M. But Hand would have to get by New Canaan and Darien just to get to the semifinals.
In Class S, Shoreline Conference powers No. 1 Haddam-Killingworth and No. 12 North Branford have a solid shot to get to the championship game, but only one could do it since both would potentially meet in the semifinals. The Cougars are led on offense by Kiley Anderson and the Thunderbirds are led by high-scoring Emmy Dulak.
The top challengers for the Shoreline teams are No. 2 Granby and No. 3 Weston.

southernconnecticutconference.org

Since the Southern Connecticut Conference had only 15 boys' hockey teams the last two seasons, commissioner Al Carbone has been looking for another team to make it an even 16.
Carbone added that team on Thursday when North Branford agreed to join boys' hockey in the SCC.
"Ever since we lost Derby a couple years ago to the NVL we've been looking for a replacement and North Branford was one of the teams we reached out to," Carbone said. "We've had ongoing discussions for a couple years now at the coach's level about associate membership for hockey and the timing is right to make the addition a perfect fit.
"Another reason this makes sense is North Branford already plays a number of our SCC teams in the regular season plus five of our SCC teams call the same rink home as North Branford (Northford Ice Pavilion)."
From a numbers angle, there is a big reason the addition of North Branford to the SCC makes a right fit. On Wednesday, the CIAC boys' hockey committee agreed to allow the Amity to move from Division I to II for next season and Lyman Hall moves from Division II to III.
"With Amity moving to Division II and Lyman Hall to Division III, the addition of North Branford gives us eight Division II/III teams and eight Division I teams," Carbone said. "This makes sense for everyone. North Branford will also be eligible for our SCC Division II tournament next season as well."
Carbone also added North Branford's move to the SCC is only for boys' hockey at this time. Although nothing is planned now, Carbone did not rule out future discussions to add other sports as well.

Here are today's postponements on the area schedule:

BASEBALL
FCIAC
St. Joseph at Danbury, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.
CSC
Kaynor Tech at O’Brien Tech, ppd. to Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Abbott Tech at Whitney Tech, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Goodwin Tech at Platt Tech, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
NVL
Holy Cross at Seymour (French Park), ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Ansonia at Crosby (Washington Park), ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Shoreline
Westbrook at Haddam-Killingworth, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
East Hampton at North Branford, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Old Saybrook at Hyde/Hillhouse, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Morgan at Portland, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Hammonasset
Guilford at Hand, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Quinnipiac
Xavier at Hamden, ppd. to Thursday, 3:45 p.m.
West Haven at Fairfield Prep, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Housatonic
Cheshire at Lyman Hall, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Shelton at Sheehan, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Oronoque
North Haven at Wilbur Cross, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Career at East Haven, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC interdivision
Law at Notre Dame-West Haven, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Amity at Branford, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
SWC
Stratford at Bethel, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.
Barlow at Bunnell, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
FCIAC
Danbury at St. Joseph, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
CSC
O’Brien Tech at Kaynor Tech, ppd. to Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Whitney Tech at Abbott Tech, ppd. to May 1, 3:30 p.m.
NVL
Crosby at Ansonia, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Woodland at Naugatuck, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Seymour at Holy Cross, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Kennedy at Derby, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Shoreline
Coginchaug at Old Lyme, ppd., TBA
East Hampton at North Branford, ppd., TBA
Morgan at Portland, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Quinnipiac
Hamden at Sacred Heart Academy, ppd. to Thursday, 3;45 p.m.
SCC Housatonic
Amity at Sheehan, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Oronoque
Wilbur Cross at North Haven, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Branford at Career (East Shore Athletic Complex), ppd. to Tuesday. 4 p.m.
SCC Hammonasset
Hillhouse at Foran, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Guilford at Law, ppd. to Thursday, 4 p.m.
SCC interdivision
East Haven at Cheshire, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
SWC
Kolbe Cathedral at Stratford (DeLuca Field), ppd. to May 3, 3:30 p.m.
Barlow at Bunnell, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
SCC
Guilford at North Haven, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Shelton at Amity, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Preps
Hamden Hall at Hopkins, ppd., TBA
BOYS’ TENNIS
SWC
Stratford at Bunnell, ppd. to Friday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC
Branford at Career (Edgewood Park), ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Sheehan at Hand, ppd. to Thursday, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
NVL
Crosby at Ansonia (Nolan Field), ppd. to Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Seymour at Holy Cross, ppd. to Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
SWC
Lauralton Hall at Barlow, ppd., TBA
Bunnell at Stratford (Short Beach), ppd. to Friday, 3:45 p.m.

BOYS’ GOLF
SCC
Law at Lyman Hall (Wallingford CC), ppd., TBA
Non-league
Cheshire at Wolcott (Farmingbury CC), ppd., TBA
Shoreline
Coginchaug at Valley Regional (Fox Hopyard CC), ppd., TBA

Here's a look at the North Branford High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees for this year.

They will be honored Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at WoodWinds in Branford from 5 - 9 p.m. The cost is $40 but North Branford  needs to receive the money with a reservation by Saturday, July 2nd. Please call Chris Webster at NBHS (203) 484 - 1465 or at (203) 641 - 1409 or via e-mail: cwebster@northbranfordschools.org

The inductees:

Sandy Chadeayne Meehan was a physical education teacher who took the initiative to start the athletic teams for girls at North Branford High School. Starting in 1964 until she left teaching to marry and start a family, Sandy was involved in the organization of many competitive events for girls so they could have the opportunity to participate in many sports, including field hockey, basketball, track, and softball. . In addition to taking this initiative, Ms. Chadeayne also served as the advisor the cheerleaders and held the position as the first girls athletic director.

Dan Sherban came to NBHS after playing Division I ice hockey in Canada. He was a new health teacher in 1971 and started the ice hockey program as soon as he arrived. It started as a club then gained Varsity status in 1973. He teams were always competitive and as a coach he reached the 100-win mark in 1984 and his team reached the state semi-finals in 1991. After he retired, Dan retuned to coaching in the Yale Youth Hockey program for 8 years and served as an assistant coach at Hamden Hall.

Don Rogers was involved in most North Branford sports. He helped coach soccer, little league, youth football, and youth basketball. Beginning in 1983, Don began to show his leadership and willingness to help anyone who wanted or needed his assistance. He was a very patient, philosophical man with great integrity. He volunteered to coach the kickers on the football team and the basketball teams during their summer and fall leagues. He also served as a scout and statistician for the boys’ basketball teams for several years. He spent about 8 years serving as part of the sideline crew during our home football games.

Rose D’Amato was a pioneer as a female athlete at NBHS. She was given the opportunity to participate in field hockey, basketball, and softball. As a skilled athlete and leader, she was selected to serve as the captain of all 3 sports during both her junior and senior years. Rose distinquished herself as an outstanding athlete in the Class of 1966. During these years girls competition was very limited and very few records were kept. Part of the philosophy was to have fun and make friends. There were no opportunities for girls to attain individual recognition.

Michael Graham, a 1971 NBHS graduate, was a 3-sport athlete and even though he played football, basketball, and baseball, he was most respected as a football player. During his senior year in football team he was the team MVP and also acknowledged as the “Outstanding Lineman” and was selected as a New Haven Register All-State Player. During his senior year in football the team won the Northwest Conference Title. He later taught at NBIS coached football under Fred Salvati at NBHS and was part of the coaching staff when the T-Birds won their first State Championship. He also served as a successful girls basketball coach for 5 years while at NBHS.

Cathy Volpe was an exceptional athlete who was recognized for her talents in basketball and track. She was the captain of both sports as a senior. In basketball, she was the first girl in NBHS history to attain All-State honors. This 1978 graduate set several records in track during her career. She was an All-Stater in track during both her junior and senior years, placing first in the high jump and as a junior she was 1st in the state in the pentathlon and 2nd in New England. She later traveled to Jamaica to compete in the Friendship Games and won a 2nd place in the High Jump and the 100 Meter Hurdles.

Dave Christoforo was a 1984 graduate. While at NBHS he played football, ice hockey, and baseball for 4 years and was the captain of all 3 sports as a senior. He was an All-Conference player in football as a junior and senior. He set a record of 8 interceptions in one game. The Connecticut High School Coaches Association selected him as an All-State Player in football, as a defensive back and as a pitcher in baseball. Dave earned a 4-year athletic scholarship for football at the UCONN

Bob Batck graduated in 1987. He was a 3-sport athlete who excelled in football and ice hockey. As a junior, he served as a captain for ice hockey team and was awarded the team MVP and was named to the All-State team. He was also the captain in ice hockey and football as a senior. As a defensive end in football, Bob was an All-Area and All-State player. He was recognized as a scholar-athlete by the New Haven Football Foundation and went on the play football for 4 years at Yale University.

Chris Woodman was a 3-sport athlete who excelled in all 3 sports. She served as the captain in softball as a junior and senior and was the captain in field hockey and basketball as a senior. In field hockey she was an All-Conference player for 2 years and was an All-Stater and All-American in her senior year. In basketball, her team was 95 and 6 for the 4 years that she played. Her passion was softball and this 1989 graduate was an All-Area and All-State player for 3 years. She was the Player of the Year as a senior.

Sasha Scott played 3 sports for all 4 years of her career and attained the remarkable distinction of being named as an All-Stater in all 3 as a senior. She played volleyball, basketball, and softball and served as the captain of each while she was at NBHS. Sasha was an All-Stater in volleyball for 2 years and in her senior year the team advanced to the State Championship. At the collegiate level, Sasha also excelled at the University of New Hampshire where she was the first 3-year captain. Her teams won their Conference titles in 2002 and 2003. She is now a science teacher and volleyball coach in San Diego.

Chris Tracz graduated from NBHS in 2000 but not before establishing himself as an outstanding athlete in both basketball and baseball. As a junior and senior he served as a captain for these sports. He still holds the record for career points in basketball with 1,872. He received the Desire + Dedication Award as well as the MVP Award during his career. He was an All-County and All-State Player in basketball. Chris was a great pitcher for the NBHS baseball team. He pitched a no hitter with 15 strikeouts in 5 innings in 2000. He was an All-Stater for 2 years and the Conference Player of the Year both as a junior and senior.