Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page 43

Thursday, December 16, 1999 THE HARTFORD COURANT C7 1999-2000 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD CONNECTICUT 5 Wednesday's Results Boys Hockey 'HT BOYS BASKETBALL CCC Inter SCC Housatonic WETHERSFIELD 3, NEWINGTON 1 Deerfield 51, Suffield Academy 49 Loomis Chaffee 76, Lawrence Newington Wettiersfield 8 0- 1 8 12-3 Amity (Woodbridge) Co: Jet Nielsm 19W-M: 10-14 Top pUym John Klenota, 6-3 sr. Chris Pepe, 6-2 jr. A.J. Scarinzi, 6-2 sr. Matt Brodeur, 6-1 sr.

Rick Coppola, S- jr. Mikt CofrancMco, 5-11 jr G. Woodmere (NY.) 68 (OT) Master's 78, Watkinson 67 Portsmouth Abbey 53, Pomfret 51 Salisbury 73, Avon Old Farms 51 St. Thomas More 98, Cheshire Goal N-Nick Crawford; W-Steve Sobin, Tony Sousa, Mike Sansa-brino. Saves: N-Mike Reynolds, 27; W-Greg Donahue, 29.

Others Academy 68 Others ASD 81, Forman 57 Career (New Haven) Co: Peter Evans 1998-9 7-9 (ind.) Top playact: Corey Morton, 6-1 sr. Juan De la Cruz, 6-0 sr. Trevor Clarke, 6-4 sr. C. A Legend In Spikes And Sneakers 01 GIRLS BASKETBALL CHESHIRE 3, AVOWST.

PAUL 0 0 2 0 0 Cheshire (1-1) AvonSt. Paul (1-1) Cheshire Coadi: Nick Carparelli 1998-9 14-8 Top playm Craig Thomas, 6-7 sr. Bob Canelli, 5-1 1 sr. Tim Lassen, 6-5 jr. Evan Ptalis, 6-0 sr.

Mike Kovach, 60 sr. Joe Fagen, 6-0 jr. F. Outlook: Good size, quickness and depth. Goals: Jamie Riccitelli (2), Greg Schena.

Saves: Mark Romano, 25; A-Dan Solan, 49. NCCC Avon 52, Canton 42 East Granby 41, Granby 33 Ellington 46, East Windsor 32 Enfield 46, Tolland 17 Stafford 48, Somers 31 Suffield 45, Windsor Locks 40 Berkshire Northwestern Regional 53, Terry-ville 37 Wamogo 35, Gilbert 23 FARMINGTON 7, WINDSOR 1 Derby Coadi: George Tanner 1998-99: 5-1 5 Top playm Tim McMahon, 6-0 sr. Joe Lupone, 5-9 sr. James Norman, 6-2 jr. Senad Imetovski, 5-9 sr.

Keith Pereiras, 6-2 jr. F. Windsor (1-1) Farmington (3-8 Haddam-Killingworth 60, Wheeler Goals: B. Fogg; Ravi Altman 2, Ryan Dahle 2, Brandon D'Appol- Lyman Hall (WaHrngfrxd) CmcJi: Paul Catino 1998-99: 4-16 Toj playm Matt Lynch, 6-3 jr. Dan McGinnis, 6-1 so.

GF; Casey Bjorkdahl, 6-0 jr. GF; Chris Capasso, 5-8 jr. Justin Feldman. 5-10 jr. Kevin Benham, 6-1 sr.

F. Outlook: Will rely heavily on Lynch (14.6 ppg). 33 Beaver Country Day 32, Hyde Woodstock 25 Kent 43, Greenwich Academy 38 Peddie 77, Loomis Chafee 21 Suffield Academy 57, Choate 29 Watkinson 40, Master's 31 lomo, Chris Nascimento, Danny Boyd. Saves: W-Henesser 38, Mercadante 15. Preps AVON OLD FARMS 3.

DEERFIELD 1 BOYS HOCKEY Deerfield (3-1) Avon (3-2) 0 10-1 12 0-3 Sheehan (Wallingford) Coadi: Joe Gaetano 199849: 22-3 (SCC Housatonic champion) Top playm Peter Norke, 6-3 sr. Dan Akier, 5-10 sr. Mike Riveccio, 5-8 sr. Chris Townsend, 6-4 sr. Anthony Gigante, 6 -3V Bobby Ballough, 6-3 sr.

F. Outlook: An inexperienced senior group will have to biend quickly. CCCWast Simsbury 6, Glastonbury 3 CCC Inter Wethersfield 3, Newington 1 NHC Goals: D-Tyler Kolarik; A-Scott Trahan (2), Scott Horvath. Saves: D-Matt Hanson, 23, A-Tim Waren, 25. North Branford 5, Northwest 0 I L- s.fc...

-J Shetton Coadi: Joe Sedlock 1998-99: 16-8 Top player Don Sheehy, 6-2 jr. Nick Wilson, 5-9 sr. John Ribas, 6-1 jr. Tom Wood, 5-10 jr. Chris Garrity, 5-10 jr.

F. Outlook: Must overcome lack of experience. SCC Hammonasset Today's Schedule 7:30 p.m. unless noted Catholic 1 Preps Avon Old Farms 3, Deerfield 1 Fairfield Prep 6, New Canaan 2 4 Kent 4, Millbrook 1 Salisbury 5, South Kent 2 Others Cheshire 3. AvonSt.

Paul 0 Farmington 7, Windsor 1 Masuk 5, Milford 4 St. Bernard 3, Westhill 2 Hall 4, Rocky Hill 0 BOYS BASKETBALL CCC Inter E.O. Smith at Bristol East GIRLS HOCKEY Branford Coadi: Jake Palluzzi Top player Frank Williams, 5-9 sr. Pete Diamantis, 6-1 jr. Outlook: Williams (10 5 ppg) tops returning players in scoring.

Pomfret 2, Choate 1 (OT) Boys Basketball East Haven Coadi: John Gambardella 199849: 5-15 Top player Rashaad Rouch, 5-11 jr. Josh Charbon-neau, 6-6 so. Joe Glenn, 5-10 jr. Mike Perrelli, 5-10 jr. G.

Outlook Charbonneau and Glenn both averaged in double figures. Preps LOOMIS CHAFFEE 76, LAWRENCE WOODMERE 88 (OT) Guilford Coadi: Ricky Narracci 1998-99: 7-13 Top player Bryan Blake, 6-3 sr. FC; Alex Shutak, 5-11 sr. Mark Bello, 5-8 jr. Outlook: Narracci, Guilford's third coach in as many years, will try to use team's quickness to make up for lack of size.

Lawrence (N (68) Rashaun Banjo 9 13 31, Tarik Ziaer-McCly- mont 3 2 8, Carl Benn 8 0 19, Chad Davis 2 0 4, Michael Brandt 1 0 3, Elliot Leonard 1 1 3, David Bostick 0 0 0, Scott Brady 0 0 0, Totals: 23 15 Hand (Madison) Coadi: Jeff Beeman 1998-99: 6-14 Top players: Sean Clifford, 6-1 sr. Tom Rispoli, 6-0 sr. Sean Russell, 6-5 jr. C. Outlook: Clifford (12 ppg), Rispoli and Russell return most of offense.

BETTMAN-UPI KEN STRONG, right, is in the Pro Football and College Football halls of fame. He is pictured with Yale's Pudge Heffelf inger, center, and Fordham's Alex Vouciechowics. NO. 16: KEN STRONG Born: April 21, 1906, in West Haven Died: Oct. 5, 1979, in New York Family: Wife, Mabel; son, Kenneth Robert What he did: First freshman in West Haven High School history to win varsity baseball letter.

At NYU, led the nation in scoring in 1928 with 162 points. Hit 41 home runs for Hazleton (Pa.) in 1 930 to set an Eastern League record that stood until this year. Played halfback, defensive back, punter and kicker for New York Giants in 1933-35, '39 and '44-47. Ran 379 times for 1,228 yards and 24 TDs. Completed 20 of 52 passes for 380 yards and six TDs.

Caught 22 passes for 254 yards and seven TDs. Intercepted one pass for a TD. Punted nine times for a 50.6-yard average. His 17 points in the 1934 NFL Championship Game stood as the record for a league championship for nearly 30 years. Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.

What meant Strong, a gifted baseball player, might have been one of the first great two-sport pro athletes if he hadn't injured his wrist crashing into an outfield fence. As it was. Strong remained one of the NFL's most prolific scorers until the age of the modern kicker. What was said: "Weighing 190 pounds, Strong was usually the fastest man on any field. He started like a flash, swerved and spun and twisted, picked his openings with a cool head and struck any section he hit with terrific force.

He was the hardest man of the year to stop. Strong was a fine punter and a high-class passer, and his defensive value made him the most valuable football player of thje year, one of the best of all time." Grantland Rice, citing his 1928 college All-America team in Collier's Greg Garber 68. loomis (76) Franklin Perry 6 1 1 ern, 7 p.m.; Rockville at Glastonbury, 7 p.m.; South Windsor at Wethersfield, 7 p.m.; Newington at Hall, 7 p.m.; Bristol Central at Sims-bury, 7 p.m.; Bulkeley at Hartford Public, 4:30 p.m. NCCC Suffield at Stafford, 7:15 p.m. Berkshire (7 p.m.): Housatonic at Shepaug Valley; Lewis Mills at Thomaston; Litchfield at Wolcott Tech; Nonnewaug at Wamogo; Terryville at Northwestern SCC Inter (7 pm): East Haven at Career; Sheehan at Hillhouse; North Haven at West Haven CVTC- Ellis Tech at Prince Teefi, 5:30 p.m.; Grasso Tech at Goodwin Tech, 7 p.m.; Whitney Tech at Norwich Tech, 5 p.m.; Wilcox Tech at Windham Tech, 5:30 p.m.; Abbott Tech at Wright Tech, 7 p.m.; Kaynor Tech at Bullard Havens, 7 p.m.; Piatt Tech at O'Brien Tech, 7 p.m.

NVL (7 p.m-): Crosby at Seymour; Watertown at Holy Cross; Nauga-tuck at Kennedy; Sacred Heart at Wilby; Torrington at Wolcott Others: Manchester at NFA, 7 pm; Windham at Killingly, 7 p.m.; Northwest Catholic at Bloomfield, 7 p.m,- Middletown at Maloney, 7 p.m.; Wheeler at Berlin; Sports Sciences at East Catholic, 7 p.m.; Avon at St. Paul; Portland at Canton, 7:15 p.m.; East Granby at Bolton; East Windsor at Cromwell, 7:15 p.m.; Rocky Hill at Tolland, 7:15 p.m.; Windsor Locks at Putnam, 7 Woodstock Academy at RHAM, 7:15 p.m.; Morgan at Guilford, 7 p.m.; Coginchaug at Hand, 7 p.m.; Shelton at Masuk, 7 p.m.; Hamden at Fitch, 7 pm; Notre Dame-West Haven at Foran, 7 p.m.; Griswold at Ledyard, 7 p.m.; Parish Hill at West-brook Touniarnarrb) Klncfswoad Invitational: Game 1, 2:15 vs. Hopkins; Game 2-4 p.m. Hotchkiss 23, Charles Bryant 7 5 21, David Brown 1 1 3. Nick Kilibrada 1 7 9, Tim Deihl 5416, Ryan O'Conner 0 0 0, T.

Patterson 2 04, Trell Stanislaus 0 0 0, Matt Mooney 0 0 0, Andrew inompson 000. Totals: 22 28 76. Hillhouse (New Haven) Coadi: Tom Fleming 1998-99: 20-4 (SCC Hammonasset champion) Top player Ty Sullivan, 5-10 jr. Venson Taylor, 5-1 1 jr Reginald Alston, 6-10 jr. John Rembert, 6-5 sr.

Marquis Dorsey, 6-1 sr. G. Outlook: Not much experience on a young team, but the team to chase in division. Lawrence (N.Y.) Loomis 28 32 8 -68 31 29 It -76 Three-point goals: LW-Benn (5), Brandt; LC-Bryant (2). Oiehl (2).

Records: LW-2-2, LC 3-1. Of note: Perry hit a lavuo at the buzzer to send the game into over North Haven Coadi: Ed Crisafi Top players: Kyle Yermalovich, 6-0 sr. Bryan Darcy, 6-1 sr. Casey Yantosca, 10 sr. Outlook: Will look for offense from 6-1 sophomore guard Frank Suppa, who averaged 25.5 ppg.

as a freshman. time. MASTER'S 78, WATKINSON 67 SCC Quinnipiac Watkinson (67) Mario Lugo 13 0 28, David Williams 9 4 25, Adam Alfin 3 4 10, Charles Gaddy 2 0 4, Sterling Scanlon 0 0 0, Mike Ta-terka 0 0 0, Thomas Holman 0 0 0, Matt Garner 0 0 0 Totals: 27 8 67. Master's (78) Steve Fisher 0 1 1, Hayes Murray 9 2 20, Erich Schmidt vs. Watkinson; Game 3, 5:30 pm Fairfield Prep Coadi: Tim Owen 1998-99: 5-1 5 Top playars: Howard Kane, 6-2 sr.

John Urquhart, 5-11 sr. Jeremiah Keefe, 6-0 jr. Mike Pacifico, 6-4 sr. CF. Outlook: Team has good size and balance with some strength.

And In Your Town? 5 3 13, Marijan Spalevic 2 0 5, Eric nooerson 7 0 16, Chris Bird 5 2 12, Hamden Hall vs. The Gunnery; Game 4, 9 p.m.-Westminster vs. Kinqswood James Tolisano 0 0 0, Andrew Swensen 000, Anthony Bvers 000. Connecticut's Best Of The Century Based on voting by our panel of experts, we are unveiling the top 25 state athletes from the past 100 years, concluding with our No. 1 choice on Jan.

2. As we count down, we will also reveal the top 25 athletes selected through an Internet vote earlier this month. At Hale-Ray, East Haddam East Brian Roberts 5 111. Totals: 33 9 78. Ha mctai Coadi: Clem Batchelder Top player Bobby Pentino, 5-9 sr.

Tom Hulk, 5-10 sr. Todd Minor, 6-2 jr. Bryant Williams, 5-1 1 sr. G. Outlook: Pentino (14.1 ppg) and Hulk (12.0) are top returning scorers.

Watkinson Master's 41 26 -67 33 45 -78 Hampton vs. Derby, 6 p.m.; Haddam-Killingworth vs. Hale-Ray, 8 p.m. At TourMkrttt, Thompson Hope-dale (Mass.) vs. Ellington.

6 p.m.; Burrillville (R.I.) vs. Tourtellotte, 7:30 p.m. At New Canaan New Fairfield vs. Wilton, 5:15 p.m.; Darien vs. New Canaan, 7 p.m.

Kinqswood Invitational: 2.15 p.m.: Game 1: Wilbraham-Monson vs. Hopkins; 4 p.m.; Game 2: Hotchkiss vs. Watkinson; 5:30 Game 3: Hamden Hall vs. The Gunnery; 7 p.m.: Hamden Hall vs. Kingswood (girls); 9 Game 4: Westminster vs.

Kingswood Three-point goals: W-Williams (3), M. Lugo (2); Roberson (2), Spalevic. Records: W-2-4; M-6-1. Of note: Down by 10 points in the second half. Masters went on a 15-4 run.

Others Notre Dame (West Haven) Coadi: Gary Palladino Top players: John Danielski, 6-4 sr. Ian Bonzani, 6-4 sr. Jeff DelGudice, 5-11 jr. G. Outlook: Danielski (16 4 ppg, 9 rpg) is lone returning starter.

Palladino is one victory from No. 400. Internet Vote No. 25: Amby Burfoot No. 24: Chris Drury No.

23: Nykesha Sales No. 22: Vin Baker No. 21: Jen Rizzotti No. 20: Mo Vaughn No. 19: John Egan No.

17 (tie): Bobby Valentine, Lindy Remigino Panel's Vote No. 25: John Egan No. 24: Chris Drury No. 23: Jen Rizzotti No. 2i John Williamson No.

21: Jimmy Piersall No. 20: Julius Boros No. 19: Mo Vaughn No. lit Vin Baker No. 17: Lindy Remigino Who is the best athlete of the 20th century from your town? We would like to know.

If you think you know someone who deserves recognition as the best to come out of one of Connecticut's 169 towns, please submit the athlete's name and credentials to Sports Edrtor Jeff Otterbein by Dec 21. There are various ways of contacting us: Phone: 860-241-6434 or 800-5244242, Ext 6434 E-mail: sports6couranLcom Fax: 860-241-6600 ASD 81, FORMAN 57 Continued from Page C1 ble exception of Jim Thorpe, Strong was the best football player he ever saw. Here is how he described NYU's epic 27-13 victory over Carnegie Tech in 1928: "This attack was led by a runaway buffalo, using the speed of a deer, and his name was Ken Strong. He ran all over a big, powerful team, smashed its line, ran its ends, kicked 50 and 55 yards, threw passes and tackled all over the lot Today he was George Gipp, Red Grange and Chris Cagle rolled into one human form and there was nothing Carnegie had that could stop his march." Freshman Sensation "My father was a great, great athlete," Kenneth Robert Strong, 66, says of the man who died in 1979. "There wasn't anything he couldn't do." That is just about right Ken Strong was born April 21, 1906, in West Haven.

In that era, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. But in the spring of 1922, West Haven baseball coach Harry Noyes asked principal Seth Haley for permission to use Strong in a playoff game against Hillhouse of New Haven. Strong had three hits in four at-bats. His triple with two men on broke a 7-7 tie and sent West Haven on its way to a 12-7 victory. He became the first West Haven freshman to receive a varsity letter.

Football was his other passion. He was a blocking back as a sophomore, but he became the featured runner as a junior and senior and handled all the kicking. He was named All-Connecticut in 1923 and 1924 After a stellar game against Bristol, Strong was offered a scholarship by Syracuse coach Chick Meehan. When Meehan moved to New York University that fall. Strong went with him.

The NYU freshman team was imposing. It beat Irving Prep, 114-6. Strong scored more points than anyone, including the last drop kick of his career. Against the Army plebes, Strong's field goal was the margin of victory in a 10-7 victory. Strong was the varsity halfback as a sophomore in 1926, leading NYU to eight straight victories before a 15-7 loss at Nebraska.

The Violet Cubs were 7-1-2 the next season, losing again at Nebraska, in blizzard conditions. The victory over Carnegie Tech in 1928 was NYU's finest football moment In Pittsburgh, where they have been playing serious football for more than a century, some believe this was the best game ever played in the city. Carnegie Tech was unbeaten, coming off a victory over Notre Dame. NYU, too, was unbeaten and there was talk the winner might go to the Rose BowL Tech took a 7-0 lead three minutes into the game before Strong simply took over. He threw two long touchdown passes, ran for two TDs, from 43 yards and 14 yards, and kicked three extra points in a 27-13 victory.

In three varsity seasons, Strong had 34 touchdowns, 66 extra points and five field goals for 285 points. Strong was a handsome man, with dark, curly hair parted down the middle in the style of the day. He had sharply chiseled features, penetrating, confident eyes. In the spring of 1929, he was 23, smart and athletically gifted. He had his Bachelor of Commercial Science degree.

His future was ahead of him. Dual Careers Growing up, Strong had always loved baseball. He played center field on the varsity for three years at NYU. He caught everything and hit for power. His 450-foot homer at the school's Ohio Field stood as the record for years.

The Yankees signed him before he graduated from college and he trained with the big club in Florida. He was sent to New Haven and played a year in the minors. Strong found himself in Hazelton, the next season, hitting 41 homers and driving in 130 runs. In 1931, he played right field for the Yankees' Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate and hit .342. The Tigers were impressed, and purchased Strong's contract from the Yankees at the winter meetings.

The wrist injury he had sustained during the season was hardly a concern. It was a night game in Buffalo, and Strong had sprinted back at the crack of the bat and hit the center field fence. He caught the ball, but the impact snapped a bone in his right wrist. It was diagnosed as a sprain and went untreated until after the season. When the surgeon finally got in there, he removed the wrong bone.

Strong never regained the flexibility in his right wrist. His baseball career was over. Funny, how he always kept that bone in a jar of formaldehyde. "Instead of the floating chip, the surgeon removed another entire bone," says Strong's son, who lives in Penn Valley, Calif. "After that, he couldn't snap his throws anymore.

The funny thing was, it was another first for him. He sued, and it was the first major malpractice suit in the country. He sued for $75,000, but all hi, got was $7,500." Professional football in the 1920s was not far removed from professional wrestling. The college game ruled, and pro players were paid for the six-month season more in West Haven Coadi: Reggie Hayes Top playm Rich London, 6-6 sr. Martel Fleming, 6-3 so.

Isaac Quinones, 5-7 so. Kelvin Harris, 6-3 jr. Ed Leigh, 6-6 jr. C. Outlook: London (17 ppg) is one of three returning starters.

GIRLS BASKETBALL No. Walt Dropo No. Ken Strong Panelists: Charlie Bentley, Rico Brogna, Owen Canfield, Debbie Chin, Carm Cozza, Arnold Dean, Howie Dickenman, Doc Hurley, Jeff Jacobs, Tyler Jones, Kristine Lilly, Donna Lopiano, Pat Meiser-McKnett, Brenda Reilly, Mike Soltys, Tim Tolokan, Ivan Wood. ASD (81) Noel Rodnquez 14 0 28, Justin Brooks 15 2 33, Corey Chapman 1 0 2, Steve Biskupiak 3 0 6, Matt Goyette 0 0 0, Jorges Rivera 0 0 0, Alvin Chege 2 0 5, Niki Ru-phinda 1 2 4, Steve Sfoufa 1 0 2. Totals: 37 4 81.

Forman (57) Corey McCarty 6 3 16, Kim Bragh 3 1 8, Noel Fakhar 5 2 12, Mike Virag 2 0 5, John Ozer 3 0 7, John Kusitnir 40 9. Totals: 23 6 57. CCC Inter Glastonbury at Southing-ton, 7 p.m.; Hartford Public vs. Bulkeley at South Middle School, 3 pm. COO Bolton at Rocky Hill, 7:15 p.m.; Portland at Lyman Memorial, 7:15 p.m.

Berkshire: Wamogo at Nonnewaug, 7 p.m. Kingswood Invitational: Hamden Hall vs. Kingswood, 7 p.m. ASD Forman 29 52 -81 27 30 -57 Wilbur Cross (New Haven) Coadi: Jim Reynolds 1998-99: 24-2 (SCC Quinnipiac SCC champion) Top player Jason Benton, 6-6 sr. Louis Bosley, 6-5 sr.

Curtis Miller, 5-7 sr. Marquis Mitchell, 6-1 sr. Trevor Franklin, 6 3 jr. FG Outlook: Loaded. Clearly one of state's best teams.

Benton (14 ppg, 16 rpg) and Bosley (18 ppg, 16 rpg) form an outstanding front-court. Xavier (Middletown) Coadi: Michael Kohs Top playm Michael Crean, 6-3 sr. Eric Palmquist, 6-4 sr. Jake Ruder, 6-3 jr. Adam Boccalatte, 5-10 jr.

Ryan Cole, 6-1 jr. James Drake, 5-10 jr. G. Outlook: First-year coach will hope to use quickness to compensate of lack of size and rebounding. Others BOYS HOCKEY Three-point goals: A Brooks, Chege; F-McCarty, Braqh, Fakhar.

Virag, Ozer. Records: A-2-3; 1-4. Of note: Brooks had 17 assists and 13 rebounds. He now has 2,005 career points. CCC East: E.O.

Smith at South Windsor, 3:10 m. Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic at JennmgsFaifdiikl Rink, Avon Gunnery vs. Avon Old Farms, 3 p.m.; Berkshire vs. Loomis Chaffee, 5 p.m.; St. Paul's vs.

7 p.m Trinity-Pawling vs. Tabor Academy, 9 p.m. Other Hamden at Trinity Catholic (Conners Rink, Stamford), 6:30 p.m.; Darien at Guilford, 7:30 p.m. Girls Basketball NCCC GIRLS HOCKEY EAST GRANBY 41, GRANBY 33 Prince Tedi (Hartford) Coadi: Kendall May 1998-99: 12-9 (CvTQ (East co-champion) Top players: Roland Taylor, 6-1 jr. Colby Henderson, 6-5 jr.

FC; Desmond Ledford, 6-7 sr. FC; Dwayne Graham, 5-10 jr. Victor Evelyn, 6-2 sr. F. Outlook: Back-court play will lead the way.

Granby (33) Darci Mayette 2 5 9, Lindsay Pierson 1 1 3, Jen Koz- lowski 3 2 8. Fmilv R7uk 1 7 Brooke Tierney 1 3 5, Taylor Godeii Kara Logie 0 2 2, Melissa Lehman 2 0 4. Rarhpl Ptuunncki 0 0 Taft Invitational-Game 1, Law-renceville at Taft, 8:30 a.m.; Game 2, Hotchkiss at Andover (Gunnery), 8:30 a.m.; Game 3, Loomis at Tabor (Gunnery), 10:30 a.m.; Game 4, St. Paul's at Groton (Taft, 10:30 a.m.; Consolation Round: Game 5, Losers game 1 and game 4, 2:30 p.m.; Game 6, Losers game 2 and game 3, 4:15 p.m.; Championship Round: Game 7: Winners game 1 and game 4, 6 p.m.; Game 8: Winners game 2 and game 3, 8 p.m. 0 Totals: 10 13 East Granby (41) Debbie Fryxell 1 Sports Sciences Academy (Hartford) Coadi: Rudi Alvarez 1998-99: JV team Top players: Donnie Rose, 5-10 jr Kenneth Rogers, 6-1 so.

Kejuan Oates, 6-0 jr. Joel Erazo, 6-0 jr. Joshua Rodriguez, 5-9 so. Terrell Moultrie, 6-1 so. C.

Outlook: First-year varsity playing an independent schedule that will have to play hard to compensate for lack of height and experience. t. Deary i aiDot i jen Ketiy 0 10, Heather Bondini 0 0 0, Jess Howard 3 1 8, Sarah Krammen 2 0 4, Amanda Yoczyk 1 0 2, Colleen Dunne 0 4 4. Kristen Dowlmo 2 4 9 WRESTLING Totals: 15 9 41. Granbv 8 6 8 11 -33 8 IS 7 11 -41 East Granby Torrington Coadi: Tony Turina 1998-99: 11-10 (NVL) Top players: Nick Carbone, 6-0 sr.

C.J. Giampaolo, 6-1 sr. Jay Reginatto, 6-0 jr. Scott Chamberlin, 5-11 jr. Jeff Lippencott, 6-0 jr.

Nick Giampaolo, 5 10 so. G. Outlook: Little size or experience. Team will have to shoot well and utilize speed. Three-point goals: EG Howard, uowiing.

Records: z-1; EG 2-0. Of note: Dowulinn haH 11 m. Prep Schools bounds and Kelly had 10. BerVshire Avon Old Farms Coadi: Tim Roller Top playars: Stratford Dennis, 6-4 sr. GF; Brandt Leahy, 6-6 sr.

Pat Dowling, 6-3 sr. F. Outlook: Dennis and Leahy combined for 24 ppg last season. NORTHWESTERN REGIONAL S3, TERRYVILLE 37 of 104 extra points. After the 1947 season, at 41, he retired for good.

His 351 points were a Giants record until Frank Gifford arrived in the 1950s. The Twilight Years Summer Sundays in the mid-1940s were glorious in the Savin Rock section of West -Haven. The amusement park, with all its. whirling colors, was the backdrop for base- ball games at Donovan Field that drew capacity crowds. The West Haven Sailors and their talented Negro League opponents barnstorming from the South were the drawing card.

"I saw him pull a few balls over the short fence in left," remembers Whitey Piurek, the longtime athletic director at West Haven High and a Sailors teammate. "He was pick- ing up a dollar or two, but he wasn't just up there on his name. Let me tell you, he could still play." In his 40s, Strong played against the likes -of Josh Gibson, Roy Campanella and Willie Mays. When he retired from football, Strong became a liquor salesman for a New York distributor. He lived in Bayside, N.Y., with his wife Mabel and their son, and became the coach he imagined himself to be as a player, joining the Giants as an assistant in 1962-65.

Strong spent countless hours teaching the art of kicking. "He would get a letter in the mail, 'My kid would like to learn how to' the son remembers. "He'd drive out to their place, wherever it was Long Island, New Jersey and work with the kid. Several times. He did a lot of clinics and things like that.

"He once got Babe Ruth to come to our house for a Boy Scout meeting." In 1967, Strong was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That same year, they. dedicated the football stadium at West Ha-; ven High to him. Strong died in 1979 of a massive heart attack. He was 73.

"I'm sure people in Connecticut today don't know all that much about my dad," his" son says softly. "That's too bad. He did some great, great things. When they tell the story of the 20th century in Connecticut athletics, his name should be included." line with teachers. This was how Strong played baseball during the summer and continued with football in the fall and winter.

Coming out of college, Strong was strongly pursued by the New York football Giants. They sent coach Leroy Andrews to sign Giants owner Tim Mara authorized a $4,000 offer, but Andrews thought he could save some money and offered $3,000. Strong rejected Andrews' offer and followed a number of former NYU players to the Staten Island Stapletons, also of the NFL. Playing against the Giants in the 1929 city championship, Strong returned a kickoff 100 yards to beat the team that spurned him. But the Stapletons folded after the 1932 season.

Strong asked Mara for a job, but was initially rebuffed. Eventually, Strong signed a contract for precisely the $3,000 he had originally rejected Strong, playing halfback and kicking, helped lead the Giants to Eastern Division titles in 1933 and '34. He tied for the league lead with 64 points in 1933. He had two touchdowns and a field goal in the "Sneakers Game," when the Giants switched to basketball shoes for the second half in the icy championship at the Polo Grounds and scored four touchdowns to beat the Bears, 30-13. Still, he had to hire a lawyer to win a salary increase to $6,000 the next season.

After the 1935 season, the NFL instituted the college draft. With a guaranteed supply of talent, the Depression-squeezed Giants offered Strong $150 a game. For the second time, Strong turned his back on the Giants. Strong signed for $5,000 with the New York Yankees of the fledgling American Football League, which folded after four games. But Strong had insisted his salary be placed in escrow.

Thus, he was one of the few to emerge from the AFL financially intact. Or so he thought The NFL, calling Strong's defection "extreme disloyalty," suspended him for five years. The Giants, who sent him to their farm team in Jersey City, N.J., actually got him on the field after only a three-year absence. After the 1939 season. Strong retired at 33.

Four years later, when World War depleted NFL rosters. Strong was recalled by the Giants and kicked for four seasons, 1944-47. He made 18 field goals and converted 102 CCC Inter Bristol Eastern at Hall, 6 p.m.; Southington at East Hartford, 6 30 p.m.; Windsor at South Windsor, 6 pm; Manchester at Newington, 6 pm Wethersfield at Windham, 6:30 p.m.; Simsbury at Bulkeley, 6 p.m.; New Britain at Weaver, 5 p.m. COO Lyman Memorial at Bacon Academy, 6 p.m.; Coventry at RHAM, 6 p.m. SCC Amity at Cheshire, 7 p.m.; Xavier at Derby, 7 p.m.; Guilford at Fairfield Prep, 6:30 p.m.

ECO Killingly at St Bernard, 6 East Lyme at Fitch, 6 p.m.; NFA at Waterford, 6 p.m. Others: Hand at Morgan, 6 p.m.; Plainville at Gilbert, 6 p.m.; East Catholic at Rocky Hill, 4 p.m.; NonnewaugSomers-Stafford at Hartford Public, 4 p.m.; Granby at Terryville, 6 p.m.; Glastonbury at Middletown, 6:30 p.m.; Holy Cross at Conard, 5 p.m.; East Windsor at Rockville, 6 p.m.; New London at Griswold, 6 p.m.; Enfield at Farmington, 6 p.m.; Windham Tech at Wolcott Tech, 5 p.m.; Cheney Tech at Fermi, 6 p.m.; Maloney at Berlin, 6 pm, Piatt Tech at Piatt, 5 pm, Bristol Central at Avon, 6 p.m.; Canton at Portland, 6 p.m. Hotchkiss (Lakevilte) Coadi: Charlie Frankenbach 1998-99: 9-15 Top players: Chris Levesque, 6-4 sr. Sam Jackson, 6-4 jr James Kuhl, 6-1 sr. G.

Outlook: Levesque averaged 12 points and nine rebounds. Team has some size, depth and experience. Northwestern (53) Erika Eddy 3 0 6, Kristen Kaczynski 3 511, Kristen Schwarz 3 0 6, Joanna Dombrowski 3 0 6, Chelsea Erskine 1 0 2, Sami Dyer 3 3 9, Stephanie Gordon 1 0 2, Molly Sullivan 3 0 7, Jen DiMauro 0 0 0, Lauren Rubenoff 2 0 4, Becky Ryznar 0 0 0. Totals: 22 8 53. Tenyville (37) Sara Lozier 1 0 2, Rachel Albino 0 1 1, Katie Craig 4 2 10, Manssa squires 0 0 0, Rachel Fazio 4 1 9, Amy Charlton 4 0 9, Nadia Koski 1 4 6, Jill Davidson 0 0 Kitqswcwd-Oxford (West Hartford) Coadi: Andrew Krugman 1998-99: 10-12 Top players: Dwaine Clarke, 6-3 jr.

GF; Matt Ritter, 6-1 sr. Ben Cruse, 6-1 sr. Jared Jordan, 5-9 fr. G. Outlook: Clarke (18 ppg) and Ritter (17 ppg) will lead the offense.

Team has good balance and experience. 0. Totals; 14 8 37. Northwestern 14 IS 14 10 -53 Terryville 6 9 17 -37 Three-point goals: Sullivan; T-Charlton. Records: N-2-0; T-1- Salisbury Coadi: Chris Hinchey 1998-99: 17-10 Top players: Wayne Tinsley, 6-5 sr.

Rock Battistoni, 6-8 sr. Quincey Hills, 6-0 jr. Kyle Wolff, 64 sr. Fabian Bean, 6-5 so Outlook: Plenty of experience returning including All-New England selection Tinsley (15 ppg, 6 rpg). I BOYS SWIMMING Of note: Craig had 24 rebounds WAMOGO 35.

GILBERT 23 CCC East Bristol at Windsor, 3:30 pm. CCC West Conard at Weaver, 3:30 m. Others: Glastonbury at Hamden, 4 Wamogo (35) Jen Chaika 0 0 0, Jen Barry 0 0 0, Angie Chaika 0 0 0, Becca Odenwaelder 1 2 4, Kristi Stolle 3 4 10. Sara Wright 1 0 2, Meagan Seabury 0 0 0. Sandy Mos-ley 6 2 IS, Jessi Odenwaelder 1 2 4.

Justine Odenwaelder 0 0 0. Totals: SuffieM Academy Coadi: David Godin 1998-99: 1 3-6 Top player isiah Ransome, 5-11 sr John Woods, 6-3 sr. Outlook: Ransome (17 ppg) and Woods are top returnees. p.m.; Northwest Catholic at Bulkeley, 4 p.m.; West Haven at New town, 7 p.m., Shepaug at Plainville. 4 p.m.; Simsbury at FermiEnfield-Somers (at Fermi).

4 p.m.; Avon at 12 10 35 Gilbert (23) Sarah Rubenstein 3 4 Middletown, 4 Naugatuck at 10, Amanda Jassen 1 0 2, Jess Lei- The Master's School (Siirtsbury) Coadi: Tim Goodwin 1998-99: 23-3 Top player Hayes Murray, 6-3 sr Steve Fisher, 6-4 sr Chris Bird, 6 2 sr Erich Schmidt, 6-6 sr Eric Roberson, 5-10 jr Outlook: Fisher, Murray and Bird averaged double figures last season. Cheshire, 7 p.m.; Xavier at Holy Cross (at Wilby), 7 p.m. fert 0 0 0, Heather Nardi 0 0 0, Ashley Jones 0 00, Lauren Jones 1 0 INDOOR TRACK 2. Bethany Jones 4 1 9, Marcie Bou tin 0 0 0 Totals: 9 5 23. CCC Dev.

at Bulkeley, 4 p.m.; Haddam Killingworth Developmen Wamogo Gilbert 9 6 11 8 6 tal, 4 FENCING Watkinson (Hartford) Coadi: Dino Aguado 1998-99: 12-8 Top player Mario Lugo, 5-1 1 jr David Williams, 6-1 jr. Charles Gaddy. 6 1 so Sterling Scanlon, 5-11 so. Phil Weinholtt 5-8 sf Outlook: Williams (26 a ppg) and Lugo (22 ppg) an proven scorers. Three-point goals: Mosley.

Records: W-2-1. G-1-I. Of note: Mosley scored 12 of her North Haven at Lyme Old Lyme. 3.30 p.m. 15 points in the second half..