New London — This is what powerhouse New London High School can expect on a nightly basis.

Every opponent will put forth an exhausting effort in an attempt to knock off the No. 1-ranked team in the New Haven Register preseason state boys' basketball poll.

Fortunately for the Whalers, they have electrifying senior Kris Dunn and three others starters back from the undefeated Class L state championship team.

Dunn scored a game-high 46 points, including seven in the final four minutes, to hold off rival Norwich Free Academy, 83-72, in an Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division game.

The Whalers unveiled their state championship banner before their opener.

"I didn't know what to expect," New London coach Craig Parker said. "We didn't play NFA last year. ... I thought my players took NFA lightly and I talked to my kids about that.

"You can never disrespect any opponent. You have to play hard. ... I told them we have a huge target on our back and we're going to get maximum effort from everyone."

No one will take the Whalers lightly this season. They're talented enough to overcome foul trouble by senior Malcolm Simmons, who scored 16 points despite playing spectator for long durations.

Doug Henton added 15 points, 11 in the second half, and admitted the Wildcats (1-1, 0-1) caught them by surprise.

"I remember coach asked us, how do we think NFA is going to be this year?" Henton said. "And nobody had a good comment."

And what does he think now?

"They're good," Henton said.

New London appeared on the verge of a blowout on several occasions after turning an 8-0 deficit into a 25-12 lead with a 25-4 spurt. The explosive Dunn dominated, scoring 29 points in the first half.

"I don't know if anyone in the state can slow him down," NFA coach Neal Curland said. "He's going to be star in the Big East."

But the Wildcats refused to buckle, cutting the gap to 26-18 after one quarter and trailing 41-35 at intermission. Denzel Lancaster (19 points), Chad Vincent (17) and Marcus Outlow (17) sparked the offense.

And when Ryan Lusk hit two free throws, NFA climbed within one, 65-64, with five minutes left.

Dunn delivered the decisive blows, scoring five straight points for a 70-64 edge. Henton's killer 3-pointer and Simmons' inside basket increased the lead to 75-67 with 2:49 left. New London survived.

Curland was thrilled with his team's effort in a difficult atmosphere.

"This rivalry brings out the best in everybody," Curland said. "There's probably a lot of people who didn't know who we were this year. I'm not sure I know who we are yet.

"If we're anything like this, we're going to be pretty good. I'm just really proud of our effort and the ability of our guys not to quit."

The two teams will meet again on Jan. 27 at Alumni Gym in Norwich.

The Whalers, who play a brutal schedule, don't get much time to rest. They face mighty Hillhouse today (3 p.m.) in the Doc Hurley Classic at Weaver High School in Hartford.

"They're the preeminent program in the state of Connecticut," Parker said. "That's not debatable. We anticipate a tough game."

g.keefe@theday.com