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25 CIAC girls basketball players to watch in 2021

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Cassie Barbato earned All-FCIAC honors as a sophomore.
Cassie Barbato earned All-FCIAC honors as a sophomore.
Photo: For Hearst Connecticut Media
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Danbury's Kianna Perry (2) brings the ball up court while being defended by Norwalk's Belinda Hunte (22) in the girls basketball game between Norwalk and Danbury high schools, Thursday night, February 6, 2020, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Danbury's Kianna Perry (2) brings the ball up court while being defended by Norwalk's Belinda Hunte (22) in the girls basketball game between Norwalk and Danbury high schools, Thursday night, February 6, 2020, ... more
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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(John Vanacore/for Hearst Connecticut Media) Hamden's Rebecca Oberman-Levine goes for the block on the shot by East Haven's Taylor Salato.
(John Vanacore/for Hearst Connecticut Media) Hamden's Rebecca Oberman-Levine goes for the block on the shot by East Haven's Taylor Salato.
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Notre Dame of Fairfield's Aizhanique Mayo (2) lays up the ball during SWC Girls' Basketball Tournament action against Newtown in Stratford, Conn., on Wednesday Feb. 26, 2020.
Notre Dame of Fairfield's Aizhanique Mayo (2) lays up the ball during SWC Girls' Basketball Tournament action against Newtown in Stratford, Conn., on Wednesday Feb. 26, 2020.
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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West Haven's Amani Abuhatab (21) goes up to the basket as Sacred Heart Academy's Emma Kirck (1) blocks during girls basketball action against West Haven in West Haven, Conn., on Friday Jan. 10, 2020.
West Haven's Amani Abuhatab (21) goes up to the basket as Sacred Heart Academy's Emma Kirck (1) blocks during girls basketball action against West Haven in West Haven, Conn., on Friday Jan. 10, 2020.
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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East Hampton High School’s Angela Mercaldi dribbles up the court during the girls varsity basketball game in Cromwell against Morgan High School on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
East Hampton High School’s Angela Mercaldi dribbles up the court during the girls varsity basketball game in Cromwell against Morgan High School on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Photo: For Hearst Connecticut Media
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Ludlowe's Anna Paulmann drives to the basket defended by Warde's Grace Conway in the first half of their girls basketball matchup for Coaches vs. Cancer at Warde High School in Fairfield, Conn. on Monday, February 03, 2020. less
Ludlowe's Anna Paulmann drives to the basket defended by Warde's Grace Conway in the first half of their girls basketball matchup for Coaches vs. Cancer at Warde High School in Fairfield, Conn. on Monday, ... more
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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Nonnewaug guard Ashley Hennessey sank foul shots in a generally bad day at the line for both teams in the Chiefs’ win over Thomaston Monday afternoon at Nonnewaug High School.
Nonnewaug guard Ashley Hennessey sank foul shots in a generally bad day at the line for both teams in the Chiefs’ win over Thomaston Monday afternoon at Nonnewaug High School.
Photo: For Hearst Connecticut Media
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Conard’s Azaiyah Felder takes a shot during the CCC tournament quarterfinals at Glastonbury high school on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
Conard’s Azaiyah Felder takes a shot during the CCC tournament quarterfinals at Glastonbury high school on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
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Daniel Hand's Brooke Salutari (14) looks for two points during Class L girls basketball championship action against Hillhouse in Uncasville, Conn., on Saturday Mar. 16, 2019.
Daniel Hand's Brooke Salutari (14) looks for two points during Class L girls basketball championship action against Hillhouse in Uncasville, Conn., on Saturday Mar. 16, 2019.
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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Caitlyn Hunt of Sheehan drives against Newington in Wallingford on January 20, 2020.
Caitlyn Hunt of Sheehan drives against Newington in Wallingford on January 20, 2020.
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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Coginchaug's Jessica Berens
Coginchaug's Jessica Berens
Photo: For Hearst Connecticut Media
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Katie Flynn (shown in a game last season) scored 19 points to help Ridgefield beat Lauralton Hall on Wednesday night in Milford.
Katie Flynn (shown in a game last season) scored 19 points to help Ridgefield beat Lauralton Hall on Wednesday night in Milford.
Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media
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East Catholic’s Lilly Ferguson drives to the basket during the CCC tournament semifinals at Glastonbury high school on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
East Catholic’s Lilly Ferguson drives to the basket during the CCC tournament semifinals at Glastonbury high school on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)

Editor’s Note: Rayne Durant was on the original list. She has transferred from Wilbur Cross.

Amani Abuhatab, So., F, West Haven: As a freshman, averaged a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Named to All-SCC First-Team and New Haven Register All-Area team.
Cassi Barbato, Sr., G, Trumbull : GameTimeCT Second-Team All-State, CHSCA All-State, First-Team All-FCIAC. Averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals. Will be playing softball at Radford.
Jessica Berens, Sr. C, Coginchaug: The 6-foot-4 center can dominate games inside. Averaged 12 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks as First-Team All-Shoreline selection. Committed to play at Bryant.
Jayden Burns, Sr., G, New London: In the running for the state player of the year. GameTimeCT Second-Team All-State, CHSCA All-State, All-ECC. Averaged 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Committed to play at Post University.
Catie Donadio, Sr. G, Morgan: Donadio was arguably the best player in the Shoreline last season, leading Morgan to the Shoreline championship game. CHSCA All-State, First Team All-Shoreline, New Haven Register All-Area. Averaged 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks.
Brooke Donaghey, Sr., G, Shepaug Valley: CHSCA All-State, All-Berkshire League. Averaged 7.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Can run the point, shoot from outside and rebound.
Kiley Drezek, Sr., G, Seymour: CHSCA All-State, All-NVL. Averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. She hit 64 3-pointers last season while shooting 73% from the free-throw line.
Azaiyah Felder, Sr., G, Conard: GameTimeCT First-Team All-State, CHSCA All-State and All-CCC First Team. Set the school record for most points in a season and most 20-point games in a season. Only the second player in school history to average over 20 points per game. Scored her 1,000th career point in her junior season. Broke the school record with 37 points in a game, a feat she accomplished twice.
Lily Ferguson, Jr. G, Newington: The transfer from East Catholic joins the Zocco sisters on an already solid Newington team. Averaged 16 points while being named All-CCC First Team. Committed to play at UMass.
Krystalee Fernandez, Sr. G, Ansonia: All-NVL guard showed the ability to light it up last year, posting an NVL-best 38 points in one game last season. Averaged 16.8 points and 4.5 assists.
Katie Flynn, Sr., G/F, Ridgefield: Second-Team All-FCIAC. Last season, scored 143 points, and added 77 rebounds, 18 assists, 1 block, 28 steals, 20 deflections and 2 charges taken in 16 games played. Can impact the game playing inside and out.
Taylor Golembiewski, Sr. G, E.O. Smith: Moves between point and shooting guard. Averaged 12.6 points. 4 assists; 5 rebounds and 5 steals. CHSCA All-State, All-CCC First team. Committed to play for Jen Rizzotti at George Washington, Golembiewski may be the most complete player with her ability to pass, score and play defense.
Ashley Hennessey, Sr., G, Nonnewaug: Averaged 12 points, 3 assists and 3 steals, but late in the season elevated her play. Over the final 5 games of the season, she averaged 19 points, leading her team to a 22-2 record, the Berkshire League regular season championship and the school’s first Berkshire League tournament championship.
Caitlyn Hunt, Sr. C, Sheehan: GameTimeCT Second-Team All-State, CHSCA All-State, First-Team All-SCC. Averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds. One of the best low-post players in the state
Aizhanique Mayo, Jr. F, Notre Dame-Fairfield: GameTimeCT First-Team All-State, CHSCA Class L All-State, All-SWC First Team, SWC Champion. Averaged 18.2 points. 6.5 assists 4 rebounds and 3 steals per game. Shot 45 percent from 3-point line for the No. 1 ranked Lancers. In the running for best player in the state this year.
Mary McElroy, Sr., G, Simsbury: A 3-year captain and 4-year starter has been named All-CCC twice. Averaged a double-double last season with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists and 2.5 steals a game as well as 27 charges taken.
Angela Mercaldi, Sr. G, East Hampton: CHSCA All-State and First-Team All-Shoreline. Helped lead the Bellringers to a 19-1 regular season record and the program’s first Shoreline championship since 2008. Averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3 steals.
Anna Paulmann, Sr., F, Ludlowe: GameTimeCT All-State Honorable Mention, All-FCIAC First-Team. Can score around the hoop and rebound well. She will anchor an experienced roster for the Falcons.
Kianna Perry, Jr. G, Danbury: All-FCIAC First-Team. Shifty guard who is adept at passing as she is scoring off the dribble or from outside. She is the anchor for a young but experienced Danbury squad.
Tyah Pettaway, Jr. G, Middletown: The point guard/combo guard made All-CCC during her breakout sophomore season, leading the Dragons with 16.3 points and 2.8 assists a game.
Shailyn Pinkney, Jr., G, East Hartford: Not many players start careers as well as Pinkney who is already committed to Seton Hall. GameTimeCT First-Team All-State, two-time CHSCA All-State and two-time All-CCC. Averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals a game. Already over 900 career points, 450 rebounds and 100 steals.
Mishell Pringle, Sr., G/F, Kolbe Cathedral
The 5-foot-10 combo guard/forward will be a force in the SWC. All-SWC last season while averaging 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Taylor Salato, Sr., F, East Haven: CHSCA All-State, New Haven Register All-Area, All-SCC First team. Averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds with 12 double-doubles last season. Team has reached three-straight SCC title games and has won their division five-straight years.
Brooke Salutari, Jr. G, Hand: Averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals, making the All-SCC First Team, New Haven Register All-Area team and the Tap Off Club All-Area
Sydney Segalla, Jr, C, Housatonic Valley: Voted No. 1 player in the Berkshire League last year, leading the league with 14.4 points a game, 238 rebounds and 198 blocked shots. Put up 14 triple doubles as a sophomore. CHSCA All-State and All-Berkshire League First Team.