D.M.Livingston|Published Feb 7, 2027

Waterbury -With just two weeks remaining in the NVL regular season, the tournament picture is coming into focus — but nothing is settled. Seeding battles, play-in pressure, and potential upsets loom as nine teams have already clinched qualification, with positioning still very much up for grabs.

Here’s where things stand heading into the stretch run.

*NVL CONFERENCE RECORDS ONLY REFLECTED

*all records are unofficial and as accurate as reported to use through our various channels. Remaining Schedules subject to change. Stay linked*

---

1. Woodland (14–0 NVL)

Woodland remains unbeaten in NVL play with two road tests remaining — at Ansonia (8–5 NVL) and at St. Paul (7–5 NVL). These are not walkthroughs. Both opponents are physical, well-coached, and fighting for positioning.

If Woodland survives this final stretch, it would cap a perfect NVL season. If anyone can derail it, Ansonia has shown the grit and toughness to do so.

---

2. Wilby (12–2 NVL)

Wilby closes the season at home with two major matchups against Tier 1 competition — Torrington (8–4 NVL) and defending champions WCA (5–6 NVL).

There is still a mathematical path to the No. 1 seed, but realistically, the No. 2 seed is Wilby’s to lose. These final games will determine whether the Wildcats enter the tournament as a favorite or a hunter.

---

3. Holy Cross (10–4 NVL)

Holy Cross controls its own destiny with winnable matchups against Seymour and Oxford. Should Wilby stumble, the Crusaders are positioned to jump into the No. 2 seed.

Quietly consistent, Holy Cross has positioned itself well for a strong tournament draw.

---

4. Watertown (10–5 NVL)

Watertown closes NVL play on the road against Crosby (7–7 NVL) — a game that could influence both teams’ seeding.

The Indians should be safe from play-in games and project to land in the 4–5 seed range, depending on how the final week unfolds.

---

5. Ansonia (8–5 NVL)

NVL High School Basketball Stretch Run: Tournament Picture Comes Into Focus

No team has improved more from last season than Ansonia.

Their closing stretch — Woodland, Derby, and Crosby — will decide everything. This Chargers team has played with toughness and edge all season. If there’s one squad capable of disrupting Woodland’s undefeated run, it’s Ansonia.

This stretch could result in anything from a play-in game to a No. 4 seed.

---

6. Torrington (8–4 NVL)

Torrington may have the most volatile résumé in the league. Remaining games against Wilby, Seymour, WCA, and Naugatuck give the Raiders the widest range of outcomes.

Win out, and Torrington could climb as high as the No. 2 seed. Drop too many, and they could find themselves fighting through a play-in game.

---

7. Naugatuck (7–5 NVL)

Naugatuck finishes the season at home against Torrington, a matchup with major seeding implications on both sides.

The Greyhounds have proven they can win grind-it-out games — something that translates well in tournament play.

Waterbury High School Basketball: A Definitive Guide in the Context of Connecticut State History

---

8. St. Paul (7–5 NVL)

Early-season losses have St. Paul battling to stay out of the play-in round. The talent is there, but execution down the stretch will determine whether they avoid an early elimination game.

---

9. WCA (5–6 NVL)

The defending champions have endured a season filled with injuries, inconsistency, and unexpected losses — yet somehow, the Spartans still control their fate.

Games against Wilby and Torrington will tell the story. A 2–0 finish could lead to an almost unbelievable outcome: a winning NVL record and a top-four seed.

---

Final Word

The next two weeks will shape seeding, create chaos, and define legacies. There are no safe paths, no guaranteed outcomes, and no easy matchups.

The stage is set.

This may very well be the most exciting and unpredictable NVL Tournament in history.