Best Of the CIAC Network 2012-13 – Part 3

The first two editions of CIACsports.com’s look back at the 2012-13 championship moments covered the fall sports season. Check out part 1 and part 2 before moving on to see what is on tap for the best CIAC Network moments of the winter. Despite one of the largest snowstorms in Connecticut history, the winter championship season provided an abundance of memorable moments including the ones highlighted below.

WRESTLING:
The state Open wrestling competition is a whirlwind of activity, with more than 500 matches taking place over the course of two days. In other words, picking a single moment is incredibly hard, and there were plenty of choices. But the dramatic finish to the 195-pound final was a perfect example of what makes it such a compelling event. This single match didn’t impact the overall team championship but it was an epic battle between Southington’s Zach Maxwell and Kyle Foster of Somers. Foster was on the verge of completing an undefeated season before this late move from Maxwell sent the match to overtime.

The improbable continued into overtime where Maxwell made the move that earned him the championship.

BOYS BASKETBALL:
The first game of a six-game slate of high school basketball finals is a bit of a daunting setting. This year, however, Granby Memorial and Weaver opened the day in thrilling fashion with a double-overtime classic. Getting to overtime provides the clearest standout moment as Granby’s whirlwind second-half comeback is capped by Brent Buser canning a three-pointer to send the game to its first overtime. What a way to start what turned out to be a remarkable day of hoops.

BOYS ICE HOCKEY:
You could make a list of the most exciting ways a championship event might end, and a deciding penalty shot in overtime of a ice hockey final would be right near the top of the list. Given that fact, the conclusion of the Division II final between Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe and East Catholic provided a standout moment from the championship season, as well as arguably the best celebration as the clip shows.