Mohegan Sun Arena to host HS Hoops finals in 2013.
![]() | POSTED September 20, 2012 |
CHESHIRE - Connecticut High School basketball teams will get to make a run for the sun for at least one more season.
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference announced that Mohegan Sun Arena will serve as the site for the championship games of the 2013 boys and girls state basketball tournament.
It will be the fifth straight year that the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena will serve as the site for the championship games of the eight CIAC basketball tournaments (4 boys, 4 girls).
The 2013 finals are scheduled to be held on Friday and Saturday March 15 and 16, with two games on Friday and the remaining six on Saturday. The schedule for the finals will not be determined until the participants are known.
"The CIAC is thrilled to continue its relationship with Mohegan Sun and believe it provides a wonderful experience for the boys and girls basketball championships," CAS-CIAC Executive Director Dr. Karissa Niehoff said. "Holding the conclusions of the boys and girls basketball tournaments at Mohegan Sun has been a mutually beneficial relationship for Mohegan and the CIAC, and most importantly the results have been well-received by the student-athletes, parents and fans."
Last season Watertown advanced to the Class M final before losing to Waterford. Torrington made a trip to the Sun in 2009, losing the Class L Final to Bulkeley of Hartford by one point.
Approximately 17,500 spectators attended the 2012 championship games and over the four seasons between 17,000 and 18,000 fans have attended the finals at Mohegan Sun each year. The site for basketball championships for future seasons will be determined following the conclusion of the 2013 event.
"We have been incredibly pleased with the opportunity provided by Mohegan Sun over the past four years," said Niehoff. "We will make the decision about future sites for the championship event following the season, but the experience of the past four years has been enjoyable for our organization and constituents."
The 2013 basketball tournaments will begin with qualifying rounds on February 22-23 for the girls and March 1 for the boys. The semifinals to determine the participants in the championship games will be played March 8 and 11 (girls) and March 12-13 (boys).