Little has changed in the CIAC hierarchy within the first few weeks of the season.
Notre Dame-West Haven remains in the top spot after playing a daunting out-of-state schedule and earning blowout wins over CIAC competition.
Hillhouse is the largest riser in the poll, moving up four spots courtesy of a 6-0 start highlighted with a win over perennial FCIAC contender Ridgefield. Windsor upgraded from fourth to third after defeating No. 7 Northwest Catholic.
We also have one new Top 10 member. Here's the latest look at the state's best entering 2026.
MORE BOYS TOP 10s: Maine | NHIAA | MIAA | NEPSAC
1. Notre Dame-West Haven (5-2)
Previous rank: 1
Next game: vs. Daniel Hand, Jan. 2, 7 p.m.
The Green Knights won the City of Palms Sunshine Series in Fort Myers, Fla., defeating two of Florida’s best teams: Olympia, 73-57, and St. Thomas Aquinas, 72-62. Star senior wing Abdou Toure, committed to Arkansas, won the City of Palms dunk contest and averaged 36 points over the two wins, placing third in points per game in the 52-year history of the tournament. At the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., NDWH finished fourth, going 1-2 with a 101-18 win over Socastee (S.C.) and losses to North Crowley (Texas), 49-48, and George Rogers Clark (Ky.), 62-57 in overtime. The Green Knights are 2-0 in CIAC play with blowout wins over East Haven, 115-46, and West Haven, 77-42.
2. East Catholic (4-0)
Previous rank: 3
Next game: vs. RHAM, Jan. 2, 6:45 p.m.
The Eagles have notched four impressive victories to start the season, defeating Southington (63-44), NFA (78-52), defending Division 2 state champion Manchester (92-42), and St. Bernard (87-56), Division 1 runner-up in each of the last two seasons. Head coach Luke Reilly notched his 500th career victory in East Catholic’s 50-point win over Manchester, becoming the 19th CIAC boys basketball coach to do so. Senior guard Sincere Folk was named as East Catholic Athletics’ Player of the Week following a 15-point performance against Southington and 20 points against NFA.
3. Windsor (4-0)
Previous rank: 4
Next game: at South Windsor, Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.
The Warriors earned a dominant 116-71 victory over Manchester in the season opener and followed it up with a 64-60 win over No. 7 Northwest Catholic, which was powered by sophomore guard Alex Weaver’s 30-point performance. Windsor has also notched wins over Platt and East Hartford. Guards Missoni Brown and Ji Gary have added to Weaver’s production, creating one of the best trios in the state.
4. Notre Dame Prep (3-2)
Previous rank: 2
Next game: vs. Brookfield, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.
The Lancers won the Fairfield Classic for the fourth consecutive season, taking down Fairfield Warde, 88-53, and Fairfield Ludlowe, 68-52. The week prior, Notre Dame Prep finished in fourth place in the Kruel Classic JDCH Bracket in Coral Springs, Fla., going 1-2 with a five-point win over San Tan Charter (Ariz.), and single-digit losses to Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) and Holy Cross (N.Y.). Junior point guard Josh Charlot was named to the All-Tournament team, and senior wing Jameer Reed averaged 17 points over the three contests.
5. Staples (3-0)
Previous rank: 5
Next game: at New Canaan, Jan. 6, 7 p.m.
The Wreckers are off to an undefeated start, with wins over Wilbur Cross (68-26), Archbishop Molloy, N.Y. (65-47), and Ramapo, N.J. (58-46). Seniors Mason Tobias and Sam Clachko have led the way for Staples thus far. Tobias, an All-FCIAC third team selection last winter, is averaging a team-high 18 points and 8.3 rebounds on 65.7 percent shooting. Clachko, a two-time All-FCIAC first-teamer, is averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 assists, and 7.6 rebounds.
6. Hillhouse (6-0)
Previous rank: 10
Next game: at Sheehan, Jan. 6, 7 p.m.
Hillhouse earned a statement victory to open the season, defeating Ridgefield in the SCC/FCIAC challenge, 76-58. Senior Germone Barnes, a transfer from Hamden, poured in a team-high 19 points, and junior Tyshawn Menyfield, a transfer from Kolbe Cathedral, added 16 as the Academics defeated a perennial FCIAC power. Hillhouse has added victories over Wilbur Cross (93-65), Fairfield Prep (68-53), Jonathan Law (89-48), Daniel Hand (87-26), and Wilby (95-68).
7. Northwest Catholic (2-1)
Previous rank: 6
Next game: vs. Holy Cross, Jan. 2, 4 p.m.
There’s no need to panic about Northwest Catholic, which fell in a tightly contested matchup at No. 3 Windsor, 64-60, in its third game of the season. The Lions took down Glastonbury, 45-26, and Fitch, 61-47, with relative ease. Contributions have been spread out for Northwest Catholic in the early going.
8. West Haven (6-1)
Previous rank: 7
Next game: at Guilford, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.
The Blue Devils were tripped up by Notre Dame-West Haven, falling by 35 points. However, West Haven has taken care of business in its other matchups, with wins over Greenwich, Career Magnet (twice), Shelton, Wilbur Cross, and Holy Cross by an average of 30 points. The Blue Devils are one of the most talented teams in the state, with its entire starting five comprised of All-SCC selections from last season.
9. New London (3-1)
Previous rank: 9
Next game: vs. Classical, Jan. 3, 3 p.m.
The Whalers picked up a 65-62 overtime victory against rival NFA at Mohegan Sun Arena on Dec. 23. Senior center Kyaire Young, a transfer from Canarsie in Brooklyn, N.Y., scored a team-high 19 points, including eight in overtime, to lead New London. Senior Amir Hall added 17 points and classmate Jayvon Robinson had 15. New London has also notched wins over East Lyme, 78-50, and Wilbur Cross, 81-53. The Whalers’ lone loss came against Bishop Hendricken, the top team in Rhode Island, 70-49.
10. Trumbull (4-0)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Danbury, Jan. 6, 7 p.m.
Trumbull won the Stratford Holiday Tournament, defeating Jonathan Law, 74-50, in the semifinal and Stratford, 66-42, in the title game. Senior guard Sean Wilson, last season’s FCIAC Player of the Year, scored 20 points in the final and was named Tournament MVP. Fellow senior Jaden Tuhaise also dropped 20 in the final and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. The Eagles have added wins over Hamden, 58-42, and Masuk, 73-36.
