New London — It was more of the same for the New London High boys' basketball team Friday night.

Been there, Dunn that.

The Whalers, behind tourney most valuable player Kris Dunn, rolled to their fifth straight Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament title with a 93-64 win over Ledyard.

“Our season isn't complete until we win a state title,'' said the Providence College-bound Dunn. “But it's a great achievement for the team.''

Speaking of complete, Dunn scored 37 points, had 18 rebounds, 10 steals and seven assists.

But it was the first quarter where Dunn did his damage. The 6-foot-3 guard scored 20 as the No. 1 Whalers (21-2) jumped out to a 28-7 lead. Included was a 23-1 run and making 10 of their 13 shots from the floor.

“I've been on the other side,'' said first-year Ledyard coach Dave Cornish, a longtime assistant at New London.

“You think, why can't you do this? Why can't you do that?” said Cornish. “Now I know why.''

Three of Dunn's nine first-quarter baskets came on dunks off steals. The Whalers pressured No. 6 Ledyard (18-6) right out of the gates.

“We talked to the players prior to the game and said you can make this an easy night or a hard night,'' said New London coach Craig Parker. “We just needed defensive intensity.''

The Whalers, winners of 16 straight upped their lead to 52-23 at halftime as junior Keith Porter scored 11 of his 25 points.

Dunn, for one, was happy to get everybody involved after the dominating first quarter.

“As a leader, you have to make sure everybody gets their touches,'' said Dunn.

The last basket of the half came on a shot by New London's Khaleed Fields with three seconds left. It was designed as an alley-oop for Dunn, but turned out to be a good miscalculation.

Ledyard, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped, scored 12 of the first 15 points in the third quarter to cut the lead to 20 at 55-35 with 5:21 left in the period. But the Whalers outscored them 18-8 the rest of the quarter for a 73-43 lead. Parker pulled his starters with 4:58 left in the game and Cornish followed suit.

“His whole team is tough,'' said Cornish. “Keith, Khaleed, Voghens (Larrieux). It wasn't just Kris Dunn.''

Porter, who joined Dunn on the all-tournament team, had nine rebounds. Khary Childs led the Colonels with 19 points, Darnay Gray scored 16 and Thomas Whipple had 11 points. Gray, Whipple and Waterford's Geary McLeod also made the all-tournament team.

“I figured this was a win-win situation for us,'' said Cornish, who started no seniors. “We weren't supposed to be here. And this is going to prepare us for the state tournament.''

It was the ninth straight appearance in the ECC final for Parker and the Whalers. But repeating as state champs, not to mention the move to a loaded Class LL, is what is really on Parker's mind.

“We have to handle pressure. We're gonna face teams that can put on substantial pressure,'' said Parker. “And it's going to be critical that we don't turn the ball over.''

New London opens play in the CIAC tournament with a first-round game at home against Xavier of Middletown next Tuesday. Ledyard hosts Bethel in a first-round game Tuesday in the Class M tournament.

d.davis@theday.com