Westie squads show resilience in wins!
By Rob Forleo
Special to the Voice
West Haven High School experienced a day that will be remembered for generations, as both the Unified Basketball team and the Boys Varsity Basketball team captured state championships on Saturday, March 21 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The dual victories marked a defining moment for the school community, bringing together students, staff, and residents in a shared celebration of perseverance and pride. Each game carried its own intensity and story, yet both reflected the same commitment that has come to define West Haven athletics.
The day began with the Unified Basketball team, which delivered a thrilling 28-27 victory over Windsor High School in the state championship. The game remained close throughout, with both teams battling for every possession until the final moments. West Haven’s ability to stay composed under pressure proved to be the difference, as they secured the one-point win and brought home the program’s championship. Head coach Jolie Morrell reflected on the significance of the moment.
“It is truly special for these athletes to not only win a state championship but to play in one,” she said. “For our student-athletes to feel included like every other athlete in the school is very important. The CIAC including the Unified Sports Level 1 Championship at Mohegan Sun made it even more incredible. Seeing them walk onto the big court and light up proved to me that we already won that day. Bringing the trophy back home to West Haven was the icing on the cake.”
The victory was about more than the final score, as it represented opportunity, inclusion, and the joy of competing on the biggest stage.
The impact of the championship extended beyond the court, as the Unified team felt the full support of the West Haven community throughout their postseason run. Morrell emphasized the role of that support, sharing,
“Everyone at West Haven has been amazing. The support from teachers, administrators, the athletic department, and students has made a difference. The pep rally, pasta party, and school parade showed just how special our athletes are. They have been treated with the same care and respect as every other team at our school all season. Bringing home the trophy with the varsity Boys Basketball team was a special feeling. There is no other place I would rather teach or coach.” That sense of belonging resonated with the players, including Will Lopes, who said, “I am most proud of my team, my coaches, my teachers, and our fans. Winning a state championship and bringing it back to West Haven was a dream come true. We are all proud to have represented West Haven,” she said.
The victory meant everything to Lopes and his teammates as they carried the spirit of the city onto the court.
As the evening continued, the boys team delivered a championship performance that matched the magnitude of the moment. West Haven entered the title game, coming off a hard-fought semifinal victory against rival Notre Dame-West Haven, a win that helped build momentum and confidence heading into the final.
Facing Staples High School, the top ranked and undefeated team in the state, West Haven battled through a back-and-forth contest that became an instant classic. Staples opened with a narrow 16-13 lead after the first quarter, but West Haven stayed close, answering every run and keeping the game within reach. By halftime, the score was 26-24 in favor of Staples, setting the stage for an intense second half.
Regulation ended tied at 48, and the tension only grew as the first and second overtimes finished 57 and 66 all. In triple overtime, West Haven found another level and pulled away to a 79-72 victory, completing one of the most memorable championship games in state history.
Senior guard Aaron Johnson led the way with an outstanding performance, shooting 11 of 14 from the field while finishing with 27 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. His impact was felt in every phase of the game, as he helped guide West Haven through each critical moment.
“Well, I’m still in shock right now, but it’s starting to settle in what we really accomplished. It feels great knowing I helped bring a championship to the City of West Haven and played in one of the best state championship games ever and won,” he said. “I have worked so hard for my four years at WHHS, so to end my senior year with a state championship is truly a dream come true. We had been there before with a different outcome, so to win it my senior year was really something special.”
He also spoke about the legacy the team leaves behind.
“It feels great knowing we set a standard for the basketball program,” he said. “That standard means that when someone puts on that jersey it signifies something, it is a privilege to wear, and hard work and commitment are required to be successful for any future Westie. ‘We before me’ was our motto this season and hopefully the younger generations see that motto stands true from watching this team.”
His words reflected both personal achievement and a vision for the future of the program.
Head coach Ty Sullivan, who guided the team through years of growth and adversity, described the emotion of the final buzzer as a culmination of everything the program had worked toward.
“Honestly, it was a mix of everything, relief, pride, and gratitude. I thought about all the work, every long practice, every setback, and every moment people doubted us. I thought about my staff and my players and how much they bought in. I just felt proud that we finished what we started,” he said.
Sullivan also pointed to the team’s resilience over the past several seasons.
“It says everything about their character. Many teams get close and fall apart or start blaming each other. This group did the opposite. They stayed together, learned from every loss, and came back stronger. 2024 gave us belief, 2025 gave us pain, and 2026 gave us purpose. That is why we were able to finish it. I want people to remember how connected they were. This was not just a talented team. It was a team that trusted each other, sacrificed for each other, and stayed focused no matter what. They were tough, disciplined, and unselfish when it mattered. That is what made them special and what people should remember.”
The championship carried added significance for West Haven, as it marked the program’s first boys basketball state title since 1987 and the school’s first overall state championship since the baseball team’s victory in 2009.
The accomplishment did not go unnoticed by the athletic department, as co-athletic directors Joe Morrell and Mike Anquillare shared their congratulations.
“On behalf of the West Haven High School Athletic Department, we would like to congratulate our Unified Basketball Team along with Head Coach Ty Sullivan, his coaching staff, and our Boys’ Basketball Team on a historic run to become the 2026 Boy’s Division 1 State Champions. Their perseverance, drive, and selflessness are the characteristics and backbone of West Haven Athletics. This accomplishment will live on in West Haven folklore and will be talked about for many years to come,” they wrote.
Superintendent Neil Cavallaro captured the broader impact of the day, emphasizing how these achievements resonated throughout the city.
“If you’ve been through West Haven High School during our teams’ tournament runs, you were able to sense the excitement and see the school spirit firsthand. The entire school and community rallied behind them. Things like this bring people together especially in a city like ours. There’s an us against the world mentality, and our student-athletes and coaches relish the challenge on behalf of everyone in West Haven. There’s no better feeling than to watch all of the hard work and preparation that goes into winning a state championship as well as the highs and lows of a long season pay off at the end. I am elated over their success, but even more proud of the way they represented West Haven High School,” he said.
In the end, the championships reflected what the student-athletes achieved through determination and belief in one another. From a one-point thriller in the Unified game to a triple overtime classic in the varsity matchup, West Haven proved its ability to rise to the moment when it mattered most.
The players and coaches all played a role in creating a day that will live on in school history. For West Haven, March 21, 2026 will always stand as a celebration of what these student-athletes achieved through their hard work, with a community behind them every step of the way.