By D.M. Livingston|Published Nov 19, 2025

WATERBURY,CT The Wilby Wildcats are heading into the 2025 high school basketball season with momentum, confidence, and a city behind them. After a tough state playoff loss to New London last winter, the Wildcats answered with a summer that proved exactly who they are: disciplined, hungry, and capable of beating anybody in Connecticut.

And they didn’t just win — they dominated.

Undefeated Champions of the Inaugural AL3 High School Preseason League (9–0)

Wilby ran the table at the YMCA, finishing a perfect 9–0 to take home the title in the first-ever AL3 High School Preseason League — a league designed to sharpen skills, test character, and prepare Waterbury athletes for the grind ahead.

From Opening Day to Championship Night, the Wildcats never wavered.

They set the standard.
They controlled the pace.
They embraced the moment.

And when it mattered most, they delivered one of the defining highlights of the entire summer.

The Shot That Shocked the Gym: Wilby Stuns Holy Cross

The semifinal showdown between Wilby and powerhouse Holy Cross had the building shaking. A packed YMCA gym. Coaches standing. Parents yelling. Players locked into every possession.

Then came the moment.

Summer Magic
Buzzer beater.

Wilby drilled a deep, three at the horn to beat Holy Cross 47–44, sending the Wildcats into the championship and sending the crowd into chaos.

That shot wasn’t luck — it was a statement.
A message to the city.
A reminder that Wilby is not playing around this year.

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Community Behind Them

Every week, Waterbury showed up — families, volunteers, alumni, kids, and die-hard fans. The YMCA turned into a summer battleground of energy and support, and Wilby fed off every ounce of it.

The Wildcats didn’t just win games.
They brought the community together.

A Program on the Rise

With a full summer of chemistry, confidence, and leadership behind them, Wilby enters the new season as one of Waterbury’s most dangerous teams. They’ve shown they can outwork, out-hustle, and outplay top-tier competition — including title contenders like Holy Cross.

The Wildcats finished the summer with:

• Undefeated record (9–0)
• Tournament Championship
• Signature win over Holy Cross
• Buzzer-beater highlight of the year
• Renewed belief heading into winter

Wilby’s message to the NVL?

We’re coming. And we’re ready.

Stay tuned — our NVL Preseason Power Rankings drop next week. Where will the Wildcats land after a perfect 9–0 run?