The Starting Five: Local Athletes of the Week

Ashanti Frazier- Newington (Basketball): Frazier has been unstoppable as Newington has won their first three games, including last Thursday’s 52-39 victory over New Britain. In the win over the Golden Hurricanes, the junior guard messed around and nearly got a triple-double; scoring 25 points, dishing out eight assists, and racking up an eye-popping 10 steals. In the Indians season opener, a 59-42 victory over South Windsor, Frazier scored 10, grabbed six rebounds, and had three steals. 

Ben Mroczka- Middletown (Hockey): Mroczka scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in the WMPR Eagles season-opening 2-1 victory over the Eastern CT Eagles. The senior tallied another goal in a 3-1 victory over Bolton/Conventry/Rockville and prior to the start of the season he was named one of the team’s captains after leading the team in goals as a junior a season ago. 

Julia DiBattista- Rocky Hill (Basketball): DiBattista nearly averaged a double-double last week, averaging 10 points and nine rebounds as Rocky Hill split their first two games of the season with a win over Enfield and a loss to Glastonbury. The senior has already formulated a great one-two punch with returning all-state guard Nikki Lukens.   

Najla Cecunjanin- Cromwell (Basketball): Cecunjanin had a terrific all-around game to help Cromwell open the season with a 56-32 victory over Old Lyme, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and three blocks. The versatile junior is one of a handful of young stars that head coach Kelly Maher has on the court this season.    

Jake Peckrul- Wethersfield (Hockey): Peckrul is back in goal for the Eagles, helping preserve two victories over the first two games of the season. The senior captain had 10 saves in a 2-1 victory over Eastern CT and then sent back 11 shots in a 3-1 win over Bolton/Coventry/Rockville.