By D.M.Livingston|Published Dec 6, 2025

Last updated Dec 6, 2025 11:42PM

Waterbury -Crosby opened the 2024–25 campaign with one of the toughest front-loaded schedules in the NVL, dropping early battles to Holy Cross, Kolbe Cathedral, and New London. At 1–3 after the Oxford win, it looked like the Bulldogs were still searching for identity.

But everything changed in January.

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January Surge

From January 3 through February 22, Crosby ripped off 15 wins in 17 games, including:

• Signature upset at Naugatuck (75–58) — the win that sparked their turnaround
• Clutch rivalry wins over Kennedy (70–66), WCA (65–58), and Wilby (67–59)
• Dominant blowouts of Torrington (84–29), Derby (87–27), and St. Paul (77–50)

The Bulldogs peaked again in mid-February with revenge victories over Holy Cross (71–60) and Kolbe Cathedral (66–61), proving their early-season losses were not an accurate measure of who they had become.

Late-Season Stumbles

WCA caught Crosby twice — once in early February (75–72) and again on Feb. 25 (62–51). Those losses cost the Bulldogs a higher seeding.

Still, Crosby entered states with momentum.

CIAC STATE TOURNAMENT

• First Round: W vs New Britain, 57–50
  
• Second Round: L @ New London, 70–56
  

FINAL RECORD

17–9 overall
State Tournament: Second Round

A season that started shaky ended as one of the better turnarounds in the league.

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2025-26 SEASON-DEFINING MATCHUPS

🟦 December 16 — Season Opener vs Oxford (HOME, 7:00 PM)

Oxford was one of Crosby’s cleanest wins last season (84–61).
This is the tone-setter. A chance to start fast — something Crosby struggled with a year ago.

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🔥 December 19 — @ Derby (AWAY, 5:30 PM)

Derby was blown out last year (87–27), but opening week road games are always traps.
This game tests Crosby’s early-season discipline.

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⚡ December 21 — vs Kolbe Cathedral (HOME, 7:00 PM)

One of the season’s biggest early tests.

Crosby split with Kolbe last season:

• L 67–57 in December
• W 66–61 in February

Kolbe always brings elite athletes and state-tournament intensity.
Circle this one. Early statement opportunity.

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💥 December 22 — @ Holy Cross (AWAY, 7:00 PM)

Holy Cross handed Crosby an 86–76 loss in week one last year — but Crosby returned the favor in February with a 71–60 win.

This is a rivalry game with real stakes:
NVL Playoff implications.

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👉 December 29 — @ Kennedy (AWAY, 7:00 PM)

Always one of the games in the NVL every season.
Crosby edged Kennedy 70–66 last year in one of their grittiest wins.

Frontrunner early in the “Game of the Month” category.

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🚨 January 5 — @ WCA (AWAY, 7:00 PM)

This is the one.
WCA beat Crosby twice last year — both tight games.

• 75–72 L (Feb. 10)
• 62–51 L (Feb. 25)

This is a full-scale revenge game and one of the biggest matchups of the entire season.

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🏀 January 13 — @ Naugatuck (AWAY, 7:00 PM)

Crosby shocked Naugy last year on their floor (75–58).
Naugy will be coming for revenge — and this is always a hostile gym.

This game starts a January stretch that will define the NVL standings.

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🔥 January 23 — vs Naugatuck (HOME, 7:00 PM)

Round 2.
This game could have:

• NVL Playoff impact
• Tournament seeding implications
• Rivalry energy

This is the beginning of Crosby’s midseason gauntlet.

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⚡ January 28 — vs WCA (HOME, 7:00 PM)

The rematch from the early January showdown.
Last season, these were two of the most evenly matched teams in the NVL.

Expect a packed house.
Expect late-game drama.

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🔵 February 6 — vs Holy Cross (HOME, 7:00 PM)

These two split last season — both wins coming by double digits.

This might be a battle for first place in the NVL depending on how January goes.

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🏆 February 14 — @ Kolbe Cathedral (AWAY, 7:00 PM)

The perfect late-season measuring-stick game.

Kolbe is typically a team you see deep in March.
Facing them on the road in the final stretch helps Crosby prepare for the playoffs.

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OTHER KEY GAMES

Dec. 27 — vs Woodland (HOME)

Solid NVL test to gauge defensive growth.

Dec. 30 — vs Central (HOME)

Out-of-conference opponent. Great opportunity to sharpen execution before NVL play ramps up.

Jan. 16 — @ Wilby (AWAY)

City rivalry game. Never predictable.

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Jan. 19 — @ Fitch (AWAY)

OT thriller last year (80–74 loss).
This is one of Crosby’s toughest non-conference games.

Feb. 13 — vs Watertown (HOME)

Watertown games are often closer than people expect — good discipline test before Kolbe.

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OVERALL OUTLOOK

Crosby’s season will be shaped by six premier matchups:

1. Kolbe (Dec. 21, Feb. 14)
2. Holy Cross (Dec. 22, Feb. 6)
3. WCA (Jan. 5, Jan. 28)
4. Naugatuck (Jan. 13, Jan. 23)
5. Kennedy (Dec. 29)
6. Fitch (Jan. 19)

If the Bulldogs go 5–3 or better in these battles, they become an NVL title favorite and a high state seed.
Anything 6–2 or better makes Crosby a legitimate dark horse for a deep March run.

As the Bulldogs head into one of the most demanding schedules in the NVL, every test, every rivalry, and every long bus ride will sharpen them for the battles ahead. Crosby has the talent to contend — but the NVL doesn’t hand out anything for free.

And the next stop on our season preview series brings us to the team standing at the top of the mountain.

Next Up: Waterbury Career Academy — the three-time defending NVL champions.
The road to the title still runs through them.

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