Linked Up – 1/25/13

Barbara Hickey will have the fourth member of her family inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame. Middletown Press photo by Catherine Avalone.

Another Friday, another batch of links with compelling stories from around the state and country. Two themes this week, as we have two stories about the roots of family in the sporting world whether in a pool in East Lyme or a family that has massively contributed to the sporting landscape of Middletown. There are also two stories about the improvements players can go through over the course of their careers, whether that means growing into leadership roles, or learning how to be a stronger all-around player.

• From ABCNews.com: Not really a sports story (though it took place during a basketball game) but it is still a feel-good story about high school students making a selfless and inclusive decision.
• From the Norwich Bulletin: A senior for the Windham boys basketball team is developing into a complete player.
• From the Connecticut Post: The immediate goals are different, but the long-term hope for Coach Charles Clemons is to guide Harding to a return to its previous position as regular contender for state titles. Also from the Post, a quick and easy breakdown summarizing the first half of the boys basketball season in the area.
• From the Middletown Press: The Hickey family has been a valuable part of the Middletown sports community for a long time, and that contribution has earned them an honor.
• From the Bristol Press: Coaches often talk about the benefits of senior leadership. The Bristol Central girls basketball team is showing how valuable it can be.
• From the San Jose Mercury News: Some long-time coaches in California think high school basketball has become more physical. Would be curious to hear opinions on this in Connecticut basketball. Let us know on Twitter (@ciacsports) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ciacsports).
• From the New London Day: It was a family affair in the pool for the Opsahls, and the sons came out on top for East Lyme.
• From Yahoo! Sports: A first-time coach shares many of the lessons she noticed the players learning in just one season.
• From the Hartford Courtant: There has been one constant with the Hall swimming program over the past few decades. Just don’t expect that constant to remember how long he’s been there. Also the Somers boys wrestling team is chasing some history.
• From the Greenwich Times: The Greenwich boys basketball team is hoping its season has a different trajectory than a year ago.
• From the Record Journal: Hard to think of a better-sounding honor than “Sportsmen of Distinction” and that is what three long-time contributors in Meriden have earned.
• From the Shoreline Times: It might not be the first day of March Madness, but this story makes a compelling case for a great day of Connecticut hoops.