Eleanor Turner’s coaching career began in the mid 1970’s. From 1977-1979 she was the Head Coach of the New Haven Youth Games. She assisted Head Coach Barbara Thaxton at Wilbur Cross High School until 1981. Together, they guided a Wilbur Cross team that was arguably one of the most dominant ever in Connecticut Girls’ Basketball history.

Liz McGovern played basketball at Bridgeport Central for Coach Barbara John in the 1970’s. The forward/center helped her team to the second round of the Connecticut State Tournament two years in a row (1973-74, 74-75). McGovern recorded 650 points while averaging 25 points, 3.5 assists, 2 steals, and a dominating 18.2 rebounds per game during her high school career.

Cheryl Towne was a true pioneer in Connecticut girls’ basketball. She played for Wamogo Regional High School (named for the towns of Warren, Morris, and Goshen) during the early 1960’s. Those were the years--long before Title IX, when there were six players on a team and only two of them could cross the “center line.”

Jennifer Rizzotti won the hearts of basketball fans everywhere for her on-court intensity and work ethic during her incredible career at UCONN. She started every game (135) during her four-year career and tied Jamelle Elliott for most games played. She set Husky records for single-season assists (222), single-season steals (112), career assists (637), and career steals (349).

Legend. Pioneer. Institution. These are just some of the words used to describe Pam Childs upon her retirement in 1999 as the Putnam High School girls’ varsity basketball coach. Childs began the program some 30 years earlier, in 1969, at a time when the Quinebaug Valley Conference didn’t recognize organized girls’ basketball.

Not all Hall of Fame inductees are “all everything” superstars. There are no basketball statistics or awards for George DeMaio. Known affectionately as “The Coach,” DeMaio is widely-known for his support of girls’ high school basketball.

In the early 1980’s, Jennifer Dayton played basketball for only two years at Naugatuck High School before emerging as an exceptional guard for Western CT State University.

Beth Chandler was an outstanding athlete at Branford High School in the early 1980’s. She helped lead the Hornets to two Class L State Basketball Championship and two Class M Championships in Volleyball.