WCA seeks a 4-peat; Holy Cross reloads; Wilby riding Summer League title; Kennedy and Crosby both eye breakthrough seasons

The Naugatuck Valley League has officially released the 2025–26 boys basketball schedules, and this winter is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in years. Five Waterbury programs enter the season with real storylines:

• WCA – Defending 3x NVL Champions
• Holy Cross – Championship contender, reloaded roster
• Wilby – 2025 Summer League Champions
• Crosby – Always dangerous
• Kennedy – Battle-tested

With non-league matchups against some of the state’s best—plus the classic Waterbury rivalries—fans are in for a stacked December through February.

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🔥 MUST-SEE MATCHUPS OF THE 2025–26 SEASON

These are the games every NVL fan should circle:

WCA vs Wilby — December 16 at Wilby, 7 PM

Wilby won the Summer League title, WCA owns the last three NVL crowns.
This is the first true test to see if Wilby’s momentum is real.

Crosby vs Kennedy — December 29 at Kennedy, 7 PM

A classic Waterbury rivalry.
Kennedy nearly upset Crosby last year—this one will be physical, loud, and emotional.

Crosby vs Holy Cross — February 6 at Crosby, 7 PM

Holy Cross is WCA’s biggest threat.
Crosby’s depth and pressure defense make this a true NVL measuring-stick game.

Kennedy vs Wilby — December 22 at Wilby, 7 PM

Two teams with something to prove.
-this could be one of the wildest games of December.

WCA vs Naugatuck — December 19 at WCA, 7 PM

Even outside Waterbury, this is one of the top matchups of the year.
Naugatuck is always physical. WCA will need its signature discipline and lockdown defense.

2025–2026 Naugatuck Valley League (NVL) Boys Basketball Preview- The Waterbury Times Pre-season Power Rankings

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TEAM-BY-TEAM OUTLOOK & KEY GAMES

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WILBY WILDCATS (Summer League Champions)

Key games:

• 12/16 vs WCA
• 12/22 vs Kennedy
• 1/16 vs Crosby
• 1/23 vs Seymour
• 1/26 @ Watertown

Wilby’s Summer League title put everyone on notice. Now the question is consistency. With a front-loaded home schedule, the Wildcats can start the season with real momentum.

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WATERBURY CAREER ACADEMY SPARTANS (3x Defending NVL Champions)

Key games:

• 12/11 vs Bristol Central
• 12/19 vs Naugatuck
• 1/5 vs Crosby
• 1/16 @ Watertown
• 1/28 @ Crosby

WCA is the standard until someone knocks them off. Their December is brutal—If they survive that stretch? A 4-peat is very real.

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KENNEDY EAGLES (Fly Eagles Fly)

Key games:

• 12/18 vs Seymour
• 12/22 @ Wilby
• 12/29 vs Crosby
• 1/7 vs St. Paul
• 1/28 @ Seymour

Kennedy’s schedule is balanced—early non-league tests, followed by winnable NVL matchups. The Wilby and Crosby games will define the first half of their season.

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CROSBY BULLDOGS (EastSide Pride)

Key games:

• 12/16 vs Oxford
• 12/22 @ Holy Cross
• 12/29 @ Kennedy
• 1/5 @ WCA
• 2/6 vs Holy Cross

Their season hinges on how they handle a tough January that includes WCA, Naugatuck, and Holy Cross.

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HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS (Top contender)

Key games:

• 12/13 @ Windsor
• 12/22 vs Crosby
• 12/27 vs Bloomfield
• 1/13 @ St. Paul
• 2/6 @ Crosby

If anyone can break WCA’s title streak, it’s Holy Cross.

Waterbury Sports News | High School, Local & Community Sports Updates

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THE STORYLINES DRIVING THE 2025–26 NVL SEASON

🏆 Can WCA make it a 4-peat?

Only a handful of NVL teams have ever achieved this.

🔥 Is Holy Cross finally ready to take the throne?

Their schedule is built like a champion—

🌆 Is Wilby’s Summer League run a preview or a fluke?

Their December schedule will give a clear answer.

💥 Can Kennedy or Crosby break into the NVL elite tier?

Both teams have the athletes and coaching to upset the favorites.

🏀 Will Waterbury run the NVL again?

All five Waterbury schools are loaded. This might be the strongest the city has been in nearly a decade.

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One thing is already guaranteed: every time these Waterbury teams step on the court, the intensity will be sky-high. Whether it’s Crosstown rivalries, playoff rematches, or WCA’s quest for a fourth straight title, the 2025–26 NVL season has all the makings of a classic. Buckle up—this winter, the Valley runs through the city.