Patty Costa began playing “biddy” basketball in 4th grade and began a lifelong love of the game. Her 8th grade team won the New England Championship with a 37-3 record. Patty made the Andrew Warde High School varsity basketball team as a freshman and eventually re-wrote the school’s girls’ basketball record book.

When Wilbur Cross High School Coach Barbara Thaxton first spotted freshman Karen "Pie" Draughn at team tryouts, she knew she had a winner. Draughn would lead Wilbur Cross to three consecutive Class L State Championships in 1977-'78, ‘78-'79, and ‘79-'80.

An All-American on Thomaston High School's 1994 Class S State Championship Team, Amy Matthews shone at point guard and was rewarded with All-State and All-League Honors. She played AAU basketball for many years and was point guard for the AAU Junior Olympic Basketball Team.

Geno Auriemma has redefined the meaning of success in Women's College Basketball. In his 27 years as Head Coach at the University of Connecticut, Auriemma has made UConn Women's Basketball the gold standard against which all other programs are measured.

Nicholas Chaconis has been Portland High School's Girls' Basketball Coach since 1974. Portland's first ever girls' head coach, Nick has compiled a record of 538 wins against 315 losses in his 38 years at the helm.

"Basketball was the first sport I ever played," says Lisa Brummel. “I love the combination of teamwork and individual excellence."

The University of Connecticut's Associate Women's Head Basketball Coach Chris Dailey, who recently completed her 27th season with the program, has spent her life and her career promoting women's athletics. "I love the competition," says Dailey. "I love the opportunity to have an impact on young women's lives."

After watching her sister Dionna excel in basketball at Masuk High School in Monroe, CT in the early 90s, Gail Strumpf knew she wanted to follow in her footsteps. Little did she know that basketball would bring so much to her life.