By D.M.Livingston|The Waterbury Times Sports Desk|Published Jan 15, 2026

Waterbury- DEEP BREATH. The NVL season has reached its midpoint, with nearly every team having faced their division rivals once. Rematches are on the horizon, setting the stage for a thrilling end-of-January and February push toward the brackets.

Here are the Top 5 First-Half Stories:

1. Woodland (8-0) – The only undefeated team in the NVL. The Ballers from Beacon Falls are led by experienced upperclassmen, making history on their final ride.
2. 3x Defending Champs WCA (3-6) – After a rocky start, the defending champs are looking to lean on their championship experience to fuel a strong second half.
3. Wilby (7-2, 4-0 Division 2) – Coming off a Summer Championship, the Wildcats are off to a strong start, sitting at #3 in The Waterbury Times Power Rankings.
4. Watertown – Eyeing their first NVL title since 2012, the Warriors’ only losses came to Torrington and Woodland, both top-ranked teams.
5. Holy Cross – Back in action after a medical emergency sidelined T. Lott ,one of their stars last year, giving the team a much-needed boost.

Freshman Watch:

• Mykah McNeil, G/F – Ansonia – A young player turning heads early in the season with versatility, athleticism, and poise beyond his grade

Game of the First Half:
Naugatuck 61, Wilby 60
The long-time rivals (dating back to 1923) delivered the season’s most talked-about matchup. Wilby, holding an 8-point lead entering the 4th, battled Naugatuck down to the wire. A clock malfunction even waved off what would have been an unforgettable buzzer-beater.

NVL Boys Basketball Update: Woodland Stays Perfect,Wilby Keeps Rolling, and the Crusaders Rise, as Top Five Takes Shape

Waterbury Times NVL All “Lock Down” Team:

all name are as accurate as read from official scores sheets. We apologize for misspelled names.

• A. Colon F– WCA
• M. Weaver F– WCA
• J. Jackson G/F– Crosby
• C. Washington F/C– Crosby
• R. High G/F – Wilby
• C. Stewart G – Wilby
• I. Barnes G – Wilby
• J. Platt F/C – Watertown
• C. De La Cruz F/C– Torrington
• A. Davis F– Holy Cross
• B. Brooks F- Holy Cross
• J. Kitchen F- Naugatuck

Waterbury Times 1st-Half NVL All-Stars
(Based on film study not stats– the team we’d take on the road vs any CT league All-Stars)

• J. Napiello G– Woodland
• O. Fenn G/F -Torrington
• C. De La Cruz F– Torrington
• S. Garner G/F– Wilby
• R. High G/F– Wilby
• A. Davis F– Holy Cross
• B. Brooks F -Holy Cross
• J. Benjamin G– Crosby
• C. Washington G/F– Crosby
• J. Nakhoune-Inthirath G– Ansonia
• C. Houston F – Oxford
• J. Kitchen F– Naugatuck

Standing

*unofficial as of Jan 15 2026- updated scores and records from previously unreported games could change the standings.

D1- Div. Overall

Torrington 4-0 ( 7-1)

WCA 2-2 (3-6)

Crosby 2-2 (6–4)

Holy Cross 1-2 ( 7-3)

Naugatuck 0-4 (5–3)

D2- Div. Overall

Wilby 4-0 (7-2)

Ansonia 3-1 (6-3)

St. Paul 2-2 ( 6-3)

Kennedy 1-3 ( 2-8)

Seymour 0-4 (0-8)

D3 Div. Overall

Woodland 4-0 (8-0)

Watertown 3-1 (7-2)

Oxford 2-2 ( 3-6 )

Wolcott 1-3 (1-7)

Derby 0-4 (2-6)

Second-Half Kickoff:
GNIBC (6) Crosby at (3) Wilby – Jan 16, 7 PM

As the NVL heads into the second half of the season, the stakes are higher than ever. To the teams at the top—stay sharp, protect your leads, and keep building your legacy. To those fighting from the bottom, every game is a chance to improve, surprise, and climb the standings. Every player, every coach, and every fan contributes to what makes this league special. Congratulations to all teams on a strong first half—here’s to finishing the season with NVL pride, intensity, and heart.

Waterbury High School Sports News