Mohegan Sun to host CIAC basketball finals again

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference announced Tuesday that Mohegan Sun Arena will serve as the site for the championship games of the 2013 boys and girls state basketball tournament.

It will mark the fifth straight year that the 10,000-seat arena will serve as the site for the championship games in the eight CIAC basketball division (four boys and four girls). The 2013 finals will be held on Friday, March 16 and Saturday March 17, with two games taking place on Friday and the remaining six on Saturday.

"The CIAC is thrilled to continue its relationship with Mohegan Sun and believe it provides a wonderful experience for the boys and girls basketball championships," stated CAS-CIAC Executive Director Dr. Karissa Niehoff. "Holding the conclusions of the boys and girls basketball tournaments at Mohegan Sun has been a mutually beneficial relationship for Mohegan and the CIAC, and most importantly the results have been well-received by the student-athletes, parents and fans."

Approximately 17,500 spectators attended the 2012 championship games and over the four seasons between 17,000 and 18,000 fans have attended the finals at Mohegan Sun each year. The site for basketball championships for future seasons will be determined following the conclusion of the 2013 event.

"We have been incredibly pleased with the opportunity provided by Mohegan Sun over the past four years," said Niehoff. "We will make the decision about future sites for the championship event following the season, but the experience of the past four years has been enjoyable for our organization and constituents."

- Day staff reports