Norwalk Comes Back For Stunning State Championship Victory

UNCASVILLE, CT — In 32 minutes of play during Saturday's Class LL girls basketball championship game against New London, the Norwalk High School team led for exactly two seconds. Two seconds.

However, it was the most crucial two seconds of the game - the final two seconds, as the top-seeded Bears came back from an early 12-point deficit to stun New London 55-53 for the program's first championship since 2000.

Naeva Rene took a pass into the paint from Anaijah Morgan and banked it into the basket with two seconds remaining for the game-winning points. It was the only time Norwalk led in the entire contest., and 33-24 at intermission.

New London, the No. 2 seed, looked as if it would run away to its second title in three years, grabbing a 12-0 lead and holding the Bears scoreless until 1:33 remained in the opening quarter. The Whalers led 16-7 after eight minutes, 33-24 at intermission and 47-36 after three quarters.

A 6-0 run to open the final period brought Norwalk within five, and a seven-point spurt tied the contest at 51-all with 1:43 to play.

Xaryia Melendez pushed the Whalers back in front with 1:27 left, but Ashley Wilson nailed a pair of free throws with 45 seconds to play to tie it at 53-53, setting the stage for Rene's heroics.

Belinda Hunte topped the Norwalk scorers with 15 points, while Wilson added 12. Rene hauled down seven rebounds.

Melendez took game scoring honors with 16 points. Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick had 14 points and Jayden Burns had 11 for New London.