UNCASVILLE – Brady Sheffield went to a boys basketball state championship game last year as an assistant. He came home with a gold medal.
Five years ago, he was playing in a state championship game.
This year, Sheffield – all of 21 years old – guided his team to its first state championship in his first year as the Old Lyme boys basketball coach.
On Sunday, Old Lyme defeated Coventry, which was appearing in its first state final in 35 years, 55-42 at Mohegan Sun Arena.
“I was here last year as an assistant with Cromwell,” Sheffield said. “But to do it at Old Lyme is so special. I didn’t know that I’d ever get back here. Being here and making the most of the opportunity is huge for our school and community.”
Sheffield’s Old Lyme team lost in the Division V championship his junior year as a player.
The third-seeded Wildcats (20-6) were led by freshman Eddie Fiske Jr., who scored 14 points and had seven rebounds. Senior Leland Hine, who had 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting and nine rebounds, was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player.
“I feel like I’m dreaming right now, I will not lie to you,” Hine said. “It’s so incredible to have this opportunity to play and then to win here, I’m so happy. We’re excited to be able to leave this mark on the school.”
No. 8 Coventry was led by senior Gavin Covell, who had 12 points and seven rebounds. The Patriots are coached by Lois Hasty, the first time a woman had coached a boys basketball team in a CIAC state championship game.
The game was close throughout. Old Lyme led at halftime, 18-17 but Coventry held a 32-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Old Lyme’s Charles Sahadi hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter and Old Lyme was off and running. The Wildcats went on a 15-2 run to boost the lead to 46-34.
Hasty said foul trouble was a problem.
“We had a bunch of guys in foul trouble the entire game, like our big guy having to sit was not good for us,” she said. “Bottom line is we can’t score that many points and expect to win a game. We were just not hitting enough shots.”
Sheffield said his team felt good at the start of the game.
“In warmups, our guys seemed loose, and they were ready to play,” Sheffield said. “Then (Coventry) made a run. All year it’s been like that – we might go up and then they come back on us. The fourth quarter has been our quarter all year long.
“This is incredible. I’m just so happy for them.”
