The Day's best Sports photos of 2018
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Waterford's Liam Spellman (10) and Ryan O'Connell (33) join teammates in storming the court as they win the Div. III boys basketball championship game against Avon on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Lancers won their second state title in seven years with a 90-67 victory. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Waterford's Luther Wade reacts to pinning Ledyard's Dennis Charles in the 160 lb weight class during the ECC Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Fitch High School. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
UConn's Kia Nurse stops to pick up a fans drink cup after knocking it over going after a loose ball into the stands against Memphis in the first half of American Athletic Conference women's basketball action Sunday, December 31, 2017 at the XL Center in Hartford. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
New London's Jacob Commander and Ledyard's Jadian Mackenzie during their195 pound wrestling match at Ledyard High School Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. Commander won the match. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Stonington's Anthony Fry (11) loses the ball to St. Bernard's Hunter Bailargeon in ECC boys' basketball Tuesday, January 2, 2018. St. Bernard held on for the 74-68 win. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
East Lyme's Luke Leonard (24) reacts to a call along with Waterford fans and players during a boys basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, at Waterford High School. East Lyme won the game 64-60. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Coast Guard's Packy Witkowski (12) attempts to save a ball from going out of bounds during a men's basketball game against Springfield on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the Coast Guard Academy's Roland Fieldhouse. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Black Wolves' Jay Thorimbert (75) attempts to move past Mammoth's Tim Edwards (3) and Greg Dowing (8) during a game on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Mohegan Sun Arena. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Kevin Close (12) of the Eastern Connecticut Eagles takes a shot at the against goalie Spencer Flynn (1) of the Redhawks during the hockey game at the Rose Garden Arena in Norwich Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
St.. Bernard's Cameron Beaudet (40) Plainfield's Jarvin Alday (12) and Joseph Beltran (3) reach for a rebound during a boys basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2018 Saint Bernard School. St. Bernard won the game 54-50 in overtime to earn first place in ECC Division III. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
New London's Cora Sawyer (15) and Stonigton's Kate Johnson (4) dive for the loose ball after Johnson knocked the ball out of Sawyer's hand during the ECC Division I semifinal basketball game at Norwich Free Academy Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Noah Caskey of Montville and Mark Hartmann of Daniel Hand during their 132 lb State Open semifinal wrestling match at Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven Saturday, Feb 24, 2018. Caskey won the match. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
New London's Taina Pagan (30) K/D/ Spencer Roman (11) and Xaryia Melendez (34) react to a call in the girls basketball semifinals game against Enfield on Monday, March 5, 2018, at New London High School. New London, the defending Class LL champions, fell 68-61 to finish their season 25-1. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
UConn's Kia Nurse gets breaks up the pass between Tulane's Kolby Morgan (3) and Kayla Manuirirangi (5) in the first half of American Athletic Conference women's college basketball action Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Gampel Pavilion. UConn rolled to a 98-45 win. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
South Florida head coach Jose Fernandez, right, argues with officials Pualani Spurlock, center, and Joseph Vaszily, back left, as associate head coach Jeff Osterman, back, looks-on in the first half of American Athletic Conference women's college basketball action Monday, February 26, 2018 at Gampel Pavilion. UConn rolled 82-53 to finish their season undefeated. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Reagan Pierce, 12, of East Lyme, drinks water as teammates stand by during lacrosse practice on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Wide World of Indoor Sports in Montville. Pierce, a Little Person, has played the sport for years and recently started as a ball boy for the Black Wolves. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Waterford's Mikey Buscetto (5) goes up for a shot against Farmington's Makhi Hawkins (3), Jayke Sytulek (24), partially blocked from view, and Nicholas Teixeira (0) during the CIAC State Division III second round basketball game at Waterford High School Thursday, March , 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
East Lyme coach Jeff Bernardi consoles Dev Ostrowski (5) after coming out of the game in the last couple of minutes of the CIAC State Division III quarterfinal basketball game against Enfield at East Lyme High School Saturday, March 10, 2018. Ostrowski scored 33 points in the game. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
UConn players Crystal Dangerfield, front left, and Gabby Williams, front right, break out into jig as the team celebrates their win over South Florida in the championship game of the American Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Mohegan Sun Arena. UConn won their fifth consecutive conference tournament championship with the 78-54 win. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Fitch's Olivia Travers (7) prepares to catch the throw at home plate while Stonington's Trinity Lennon (10) slides toward home plate during the softball game at Stonington High School Saturday, March 31, 2018. The throw beat Lennon to the plate and Travers made the forced out. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
UConn men's basketball ambassador, and former coach, Dee Rowe, right, greets Dan Hurley after he was introduced as the next head coach of the men's basketball program Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Werth Familiy UConn Basketball Champions Center in Storrs. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale (24) celebrates after hitting the game winning shot against UConn in NCAA Final Four national semi final action Friday, March 30, 2018 at the Nationwide Center in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame ended the Huskies season 91-89 in overtime. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
UConn athletic director David Benedict hugs Napheesa Collier as he makes the rounds consoleing members of the women's basketball team, including Lexi Gordon, right, after their loss to Notre Dame in NCAA Final Four national semi final action Friday, March 30, 2018 at the Nationwide Center in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame ended the Huskies season with a 91-89 overtime win. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson celebrates after being fouled on a made three-point shot against South Carolina in the first half of NCAA Tournament Albany Regional final action Sunday, March 25, 2018 at the Times Union Center in Albany. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Bella Donnas' jammer "JESStifiable Homicide" (#187) knocks Beat City Bedrockers' "AC Slayer" (#227) down as she tries to pass the blockers during the roller derby match hosted by Shoreline Roller Derby at the UConn Avery Point Athletic Center in Groton Saturday, April 14, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Morgan Reissner, 12, center, of Mystic and others participating in the Mystic Muddy Mayhem, 5k run cross on of the obstacles along the trail at Fields of Fire Adventure Park in Mystic Saturday, April 28, 2018. Proceeds from the event will go to Groton Town Recreation youth and senior programs. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Stonington's Madison Cassell (6) loses control of the ball while running against East Lyme's Julia Bates (6) during the lacrosse game at East Lyme High School Thursday, April 19, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Fitch's Nicholas Helbig (10) slides safely around the tag attempt by New London's Aidan Brennan (11) during the baseball game at Sal Amanti Field at Bates Woods Park in New London Friday, May 4, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Fitch's center fielder Tyler Cady (7) attempts to make a diving catch of a fly ball during the baseball game against New London at Sal Amanti Field at Bates Woods Park in New London Friday, May 4, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Stonington's Cam Whalen, right, looks to Montville's Nik Angell as they approach the finish line in the boys 100m race during a track meet on Wednesday, May 8 2018, at Montville High School. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Montville's Abigail Diamantini (9) dives for a ball during a softball game on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Montville High School. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Ledyard's Brandon Donovan hits a ball during the boy's Eastern Connecticut Conference tennis tournament on Thursday, May 24, 2018 East Lyme High School. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Stonington's Lexi Woviotis (14) holds up the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after the Eastern Connecticut Conference girls lacrosse finals on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at East Lyme High School. Stonington won the game 12-10 and senior Catherine Cassata was named MVP. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
UConn Avery Point's Justin Keating (10) dives over Monroe CC's Justin Bunting (3) at first base during the East District championship on Monday, May 21, 2018, at Washington Park in Groton. Monroe topped Avery Point, 4-3, in 10 innings and will continue to the NJCAA World Series. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Norwich Free Academy's Allyson Lewis clears 5'2" on the high jump during the ECC track championship meet Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at East Lyme High School. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Stonington's Gabby Dellacono celebrates with coach George Crouse after the State Tennis Championships on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Connecticut Tennis Center in New Haven. Dellacono won the match 6-1, 6-1 over Alyssa DiMaio of Staples. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Yale University's heavyweight crew team's first varsity rowers approach the finish line during the 153rd Harvard-Yale Regatta on Saturday, June 9, 2018 on the Thames River. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
East Lyme players mob pitcher Daniel Allard at the end of the the ECC baseball tournament championship game Friday, May 25, 2018 at Fitch high school in Groton. East Lyme rode the pitching of Allard for the 6-1 win. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Waterford's Michael LaForte (5) celebrates one of his goals against Joel Barlow in CIAC Class M tournament quarterfinal action Saturday, June 2, 2018. The 2nd seeded Lancers rolled to a 9-3 win over the 10th seeded Falcons. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
East Lyme catcher AJ Montejano (22) tags out Mystic's Donte Valentine (19) a couple of feet up the third baseline from home plate during game 2 of the District 10 Little League baseball final at the Waterford Little League Complex Thursday, July 13, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Surfers compete for a wave while taking advantage of high surf at a beach in the Weekapaug section of Westerly Wednesday, July 11, 2018. The high surf is the result of Hurricane Chris that is off shore. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
The Boys 7-8 year-old division takes off from the starting line during the Norwich Splash and Dash- Youth Aquathon, a run-swim-run race, at Mohegan Park Saturday, June 16, 2018. New London Recreation hosted the event Saturday. The event was the second of the "Triple Crown" of the Southeastern Connecticut Park and Recreation Department fitness events. The third event of the "Triple Crown" will be the Proud to TRIþÄì Youth Triathlon, a SwimþÄì BikeþÄì Run race, Saturday, September 15 at Camp Harkness in Waterford. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones is wrestles free of the foul from Indiana Fever center Natalie Achonwa while battling for a rebound in the second half of WNBA Eastern Conference action Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The Sun held off the Fever for the 101-89 victory. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Sailboats racing in the Donzo Wednesday Night Series sails off shore from Groton Long Point Wednesday, July 18, 2018. The event that begins in May and runs until September 5th is hosted by the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
The currachs Philadelphia, front, Conamara, center, of Boston and Boston, background, take off from the start/finish line at Custom House Pier for the 4 men race of the North American Currach Association Irish rowing regatta on the Thames River Saturday, July 28, 2018. The start/finish line was located off the Custom House Pier in New London. There were also scheduled four women, three men, three women, two men, two women, one man and one woman, two men and two women, one man and one woman races. The event was hosted by the New London Currach Rowers. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Coast Guard football players, from left, Brennan Dalgleish, Miguel Moroles and Jared Gee stretch at the start of the team's first day of practice on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at the Academy's Cadet Memorial Field. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Ari Klau (108) and Donn Cabral (261) and cyclists riding the course travel in a heavy rain during the Ocean Beach/John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Coast Guard's Jon Wagner (26) fights for a few more yards against the tackle of University of New England's Franco Abbatessa (90) during the football game at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London Wednesday, 29, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Norwich Free Academy's Bella Llano (13) meets Ledyard's Katie Krupansky (18) at the net during a volleyball match on Monday, September 10, 2018 at Ledyard High School. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Phoenix Mercury guard Briann January dives to keep he ball in play as she tangles with Connecticut Sun guard Layshia Clarendon (23) in the first half of WNBA second round playoff game action Thursday, August 23, 2018 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Guilford's Miles Gabriel (29) knocks a potential touchdown away from Waterford's Dan Annibalini (10) but gets the pass interference penalty in high school football Friday, September 14, 2018 on Waterford's Alumni Field. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Wheeler's Ian Spracklin (11) takes a shot at the goal against St. Bernard goal keeper Martin Arvidson and Quincy Francios (18), partially blocked from view, with Kyle Clement (9) following the play during the soccer game at Wheeler High School in North Stonington Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. St. Bernard's Arvidson made a save on the play. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Coast Guard quarterback Ryan Jones, on ground, and teammates Chris Gardner (36), Hudson Dunaway (77) and Bill Boardman (53) celebrate Jones' go-ahead touchdown against Norwich University in NEWMAC conference football action Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Cadet Memorial Field in New London. The host Bears emerged with the 38-35 win when Jones scored on a quarterback keeper from four-yards out with 9-second left in the game. Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Conn. College's Uzii Dieng, right, races in to defend teammate Matt Butera, center, during a confrontation with UMass-Boston's Jonathan Rodrigues (24), Juan Nieto, back, and Christopher Garcia, left, after Butera and Rodrigues got tangled in non-league men's college soccer action Saturday, September 15, 2018 on Freeman Field in New London. Conn. scored a goal in each half for the 2-0 win. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Valley Regional/Old Lyme's Jaelen Arnum (5) dives and reaches over the goal line with the ball to score a touchdown against rival Old Saybrook/Westbrook during the football game at Old Saybrook High School Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Ledyard's goalie Ken Turner (1) bocks a shot attempt from East Lyme's Joseph Grubb (24) during the boys soccer ECC Division I semifinal game at New London High School's Cannamela Field on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
Waterford's Ella Dyjak competes in the 200 yard freestyle durign the ECC Championship swim meet at UConn Avery Point in Groton Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Dyjak placed first in the race.(Dana Jensen/The Day)
Montville's Marcus Velez (19) catches a long pass against Waterford's Niko Thibeault (4) after the ball was tipped in the air after they both jumped up to catch the ball during the football game at Waterford High School Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Lyme/Old Lyme's Mya Johnson turns to celebrate with Dani McCarthy (2) after putting the ball past Immaculate goalie Aimee Cirella (1) for the go-ahead goal in the second half of CIAC class S girls' soccer championship Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Middletown High School. The 14th seeded Wildcats won their fourth state title in a row with two goals from Johnson for the 2-1 win over the 4th seeded Mustangs. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Stonington fullback Will Cannella, center, races to celebrate a rare goal with teammate Samuel Montalto (9) in the first half against New Fairfield in CIAC class M boys' soccer first round action Tuesday, November 6, 2018 on Palmer Field in Stonington. The third-seeded Bears rolled to the 5-0 win over the 30th seeded Rebels. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
Players fight for control of the puck during an underwater hockey game Aug. 19, 2018, in the pool at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus in Groton. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
