Charlene Shepard's more than 20 years officiating began with her career as an all-state high school player and 1,500-point scorer at Notre Dame Academy in Waterbury. And before that?

As incredible as it seems, Francine Perry Little, a future collegiate All-American at Quinnipiac College (now Quinnipiac University) and the school's all-time leading scorer, didn't start playing basketball until her junior year at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. She began under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Hillary, a husband and wife coaching team.

Linda Hamm credits her brother, Art, with having the greatest influence on her career.  When they were young, Art would always allow Linda to play basketball with him.  Her brother still admits that Linda was often picked on a team before he was.

The third Connecticut high school woman to score over 1,000 points, Weston High School guard Ellen Tomasciewicz totaled 1,378 points before graduating in 1978. In 1974, Ellen's Weston team captured the CIAC State Championship crown for Coach June Olah.

A 1996 graduate of Mercy High School where her team captured the CIAC Class L Championship her senior year, Jennifer O'Brien is Mercy's All-Time Leading Scorer. Totaling 1,950 points at guard for Coach Tim Kohs, Jen was Mercy's 1996 Athlete of the Year, 4-time Middlesex County Leading Scorer, 4- time All-Middlesex County, 4-time All-Southern Connecticut Conference, 3-time All-State in Basketball and 1996 All-State in Lacrosse, and 1996 USA Today Connecticut High School Girls' Basketball Player of the Year.

James Bombaci's high school coaching career spanned almost 40 years. From 1975-'78, as Head Coach at Hamden High, Jim posted a 50-34 win/loss record. From 1978-'86 and then 1988 to 2005, as Head Coach at Daniel Hand High School, Jim posted a 354-189 record and captured the Hammonasset Championship, six Shoreline Championships, and a State Championship.

Hannah Stubbs began playing basketball as a six year old.  As a member of the Yellow Jacket recreational team, she experienced several undefeated seasons. A 2002 graduate of Yorktown High School, Hannah Stubbs lettered in Basketball, Field Hockey, and Lacrosse. A four-year starter in Basketball, she was Player of the Year her senior year.

Basketball was a DeGennaro family tradition.  Lisa DeGennaro’s father, sister, and brother all played for Hamden High School.  Her father got the entire family interested in the game at an early age.  He taught the siblings how to play and games played in the family driveway were very physical and competitive.  Her Mom was always available for support.