Roger Cleaveland

3 days ago | ctinsider.com | Roger Cleaveland

FALLS VILLAGE - Housatonic Valley Regional's Manny Matsudaira has played on the same courts and worked out in the same gym in Mallorca, Spain as Rafael Nadal. The senior class valedictorian is also a four-time Berkshire League All-Star, and the last time he played his older brother, Micah - the senior captain of the Springfield College tennis team - he beat him. Despite such feats on the tennis court, soccer is his favorite sport.

4 days ago | ctinsider.com | Roger Cleaveland

Connecticut may be known as the basketball capital of the world, but it also has the reputation as a hotbed for lacrosse. Two years ago, Darien's Chloe Humphrey was the No. 1 girls lacrosse recruit in the country, and last year Cheshire's Matt Jeffery was the nation's No. 1 boys recruit. Last week as a redshirt freshman, Humphrey led the University of North Carolina to the NCAA Division I women's lacrosse national championship along with six other players from Connecticut.

6 days ago | ctinsider.com | Roger Cleaveland

When Chloe Humphrey was 11 years old, she approached her father John with an idea that received mixed reviews within the family. "My sisters thought I was absolutely nuts," Humphrey said. To complement the All Ball Pro Bounce Back apparatus the family had in the backyard to ricochet lacrosse balls back to whoever threw at it to allow for practice with passing and stick work, Humphrey wanted one set up in the garage along with turf and a goal.

6 days ago | ctinsider.com | Roger Cleaveland

BRISTOL - In a Central Connecticut Conference marked by highly competitive play and great parity, once again Southington baseball proved to be the class of the league. The Blue Knights have won each of the first two CCC Baseball Championships, earning their second in as many tournaments Thursday evening with a 6-2 victory over Hall at Muzzy Field. "It feels awesome," center fielder Byrcen Voisine said. "I have been here twice and started both times last year and this year. It feels great.

1 week ago | ctinsider.com | Roger Cleaveland

WATERTOWN - It's been three years since Taft football's junior defensive tackle Jude Okeleke has been home to Nigeria, but as much as he misses his family, he has no plans to return anytime soon. "We have work to do here," he said. "For me the standard is the standard. I came here to win a championship and to become a better football player. I just am going to do what I have to do to achieve it. Just work."From Okeleke's perspective, he didn't live up to his standard last season.