There is a new blog dedicated to high school sports from the Register at http://hssportsnhr.blogspot.com/

Joe will continue to blog on golf here, but all of his high school sports postings will be at the new site along with posts from the rest of the high school staff. The blog will be updated daily. So please check it out.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Hartford Courant reported the New Britain girls' basketball, ranked No. 1 in the Register Top 10 Poll, will forfeit five games for using an academically ineligible player.
New Britain, who was 11-0, now falls to 6-5. New Britain athletic director Len Corto would not release the name of the player.
The forfeited games are as follows...
Dec. 10 vs. Bulkeley
Dec. 12 vs. Windsor
Dec. 27 vs. Norwich Free Academy
Dec. 29 vs. Manchester
Jan. 2 vs. Bulkeley

-- Chris Hunn, chunn@nhregister.com.

Brief news and notes off of Tuesday's games:

-Career held off North Haven in OT to take over the lead in the SCC Oronoque.
-Foran won its first game of the season against - you guessed it - crosstown rival Law 43-38.
-Hand looked to be more competitive than expected against Hilhhouse, losing 60-52 on the road. Should be an interesting contest when the two teams reunite in Madison.
-Branford scored 51 points in the second half to only lose to Wilbur Cross by five. If Branford ever got to eight wins, it would be one of the most amazing coaching jobs you will ever see. I bet Branford coach Jake Palluzzi is one pretty happy guy right now.
-St. Joseph coach Vito Montelli picked up win No. 798 against Trumbull.
-Xavier took over solo possession of the SCC Quinnipiac Division with a two-point win at West Haven.

O'Brien Tech girls' basketball coach Mark Belade will seek his 100th career victory Wednesday when O'Brien Tech hosts Wilcox Tech at 6 p.m.

-- Chris Hunn, chunn@nhregister.com.

Derby's move to the Naugatuck Valley League has already created one mega-football matchup.

Hillhouse was scheduled to play Derby in the opening week of the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II season next September. Now, the Academics will play Ansonia. According to New Haven Supervisor of Athletics Joe Canzanella, it will be Hillhouse's home game. He is hoping for a night game, which means the game could be played at West Haven or Jess Dow Field at Southern Connecticut State if those facilities are made available.

Anyhow, this was what we were all hoping for when the NVL was able to finally play a non-league game. Unfortunately, the other SCC teams may not be able to benefit.

SCC commissioner Al Carbone said he made overtured to the NVL about helping out the rest of his teams. Eight other SCC football teams have an opening on their schedule because Derby left the SCC without giving a full year's notice. The SCC already had a schedule in place for the 2009 season.
But the NVL chose to make the non-league game the first week for all of its teams. That means the eight other teams will have to go elsewhere for a game - or be left without one.

Still, Hillhouse-Ansonia is a very, very good start.

Fairfield Warde at Ridgefield, Monday (7 p.m.) -- The Daphne Elliott-led Mustangs take on Ridgefield, who have won five of its last six.
Branford at Career, Tuesday (7 p.m.) -- The Hornets have a chance to show they can contend for the Southern Connecticut Conference Oronoque Division.
Holy Cross at Torrington, Tuesday (7 p.m.) -- Torrington made its way into the Register Top 10 poll for the first time this season. The Red Raiders just beat Kennedy and now will have their hands full with the Crusaders.
Watertown at Wolcott, Tuesday (7 p.m.) -- The top two teams in the NVL Brass Division square off.
Law at Foran, Wednesday ( 7 p.m.) -- These city rivals are both off to solid starts under new head coachces.
Windham at East Lyme, Friday (7 p.m.) -- Windham's Amie Toner will look to prove she is among the state's best when the Whippets take on the Vikings, who are No. 8 in the Register Top 10 poll.
Northwest Catholic at East Catholic, Friday (7 p.m.) -- Winners of four of its last five, East Catholic hopes to keep rolling against a strong Northwest Catholic squad.

-- Chris Hunn, chunn@nhregister.com.

Sporting a 10-0 record, the Red Raiders join the Register Girls' Basketball Top 10 Poll this week. Torrington, ranked No. 9, knocked off previously unbeated Kennedy 55-49 Friday. The Red Raiders are the only new team to take a spot in the Register Top 10 poll. They knock out Norwich Free Academy. For the entire poll, check out tomorrow's New Haven Register.

-- Chris Hunn, chunn@nhregister.com.

Notre Dame-Fairfield boys' hockey coach Marty Roos was denied his 500th career win on Saturday as an inspired Hamden team came away with a 4-3 win at Astorino Rink in Hamden. The difference in the game was the goalies - ND's Nick D'Aurio of North Branford allowed four goals and Hamden's Anthony Avitable didn't as shots on goal were close with Hamden having a 31-28 edge in shots.
"I have never dwelled on that milestone," Roos said. "WHen it comes, it comes. There are more important things like focusing on our next opponent and qualifying for the (CIAC Division I) state tournament."
Roos' next opportunity to get the milestone will be on Wednesday as Notre Dame plays host to Immaculate at the Milford Ice Pavilion at 7:30 p.m.
With all due respect to Immaculate, a hockey team rich in tradition and success, Roos should get the milestone against the Mustangs who have have been struggling this season.
BRANFORD HOT
After a 5-0 loss to deeply talented TrinityCatholic to open the season, Branford has gone unbeaten with a 3-0-1 mark. Branford, which has had its share of trouble with elite Division I opponents in the past, posted an impressive 3-3 tie with East Haven on Saturday.
They say a tie is like kissing your sister, but for the Hornets to come away without a loss against an elite goalie like East Haven's John Palmieri is an eye opener.
Branford coach Larry Vieira warned everyone before the season his team would be good this season and so far the Hornets players are backing up his strong words with a 3-1-1 record.
Now if only Vieira's beloved Green Bay Packers could have backed up their words of pre-season confidence they might be a team to be reckoned with in the postseason...not.