Holly Misto won her first game as New London High School girls' basketball coach on Dec. 10, 2014, a 65-38 victory over Kolbe Cathedral at the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport. The Whalers gave up five points in each the second and third quarters.

It was just the beginning for Misto, whose teams played with that same commitment to defense every game, who coached with a passion — a fire that was nearly unrivaled — who fostered a kinship with her players and her community ... who won.

After five seasons and three state championship appearances at New London, Misto spent her last day as a Whaler on Sunday, announcing at the team's end-of-the-season banquet that she had resigned her post, retiring after 14 seasons coaching overall in New London and Westerly.

"It's been exciting. It's been satisfying. It's been everything I hoped for," Misto said. "I thought about it and thought about it and thought about it, just the thrill of it. But you know when it's time.

"I'm saddened that I'm not going to be coaching anymore, but it's time. I've done it for so many years now, it's time to do some other things. I could stay for the next class and the next class and the next class."

Misto, a Doctor of Optometry with a practice in Westerly, cited her business, as well as a now-resolved health concern she dealt with over the last year, as the basis for her resignation — "I've had so many patients that have been so understanding with me moving around appointments," she said.

Misto is 296-70 in her career (.809). She won Rhode Island's Division II state championship in 2010 while at Westerly. In five seasons at New London, Misto's teams were 123-12 (.911) with state championship appearances in 2016, 2017 and 2019, three straight Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament titles (2017-19) and four straight seasons with 25 wins or more (2016-19).

In 2017, New London went 26-2, winning the Class LL state championship 42-36 over Trumbull. The Whalers earned the state's No. 1 ranking in the final GameTimeCT/New Haven Register Top 10 poll and the achievement was rated as The Day's top local sports story of the year.

Misto was named by the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance as the 2017 Doc McInerney High School Coach of the Year for girls' sports.

Misto was assisted at New London by Arianna Dolock, Missy Parker, Sue Beil and Danielle Ferraro.

"I think from Day 1 I felt very welcomed and appreciated at New London. I have a tremendous respect for everyone from the players to the parents, people in the community, the administration. I'm thankful they gave me the opportunity to coach here and that they entrusted their student-athletes to me.

"(The players) have a strong work ethic. They're very dedicated and committed. They have that mindset of wanting to succeed and academically they're all smart. They're good kids, smart kids. ... They do so much in the community with the kids at the younger level. That's so important to the development of the program."

New London went 25-3 last season and reached the Class LL championship game, falling to Norwalk in a 55-53 heartbreaker before 5,089 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Whalers finished second in the state poll to Norwalk.

New London will have the starting guard tandem of Jayden Burns, who will be a junior, and Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick, who will be a sophomore, returning next season.

"The cupboards are full," Misto said. "Whoever comes in after me will have a lot of talent."

Misto will miss the family atmosphere that she feels at New London.

"I'm looking forward to coming to some games to sit calmly in the stands and watch," Misto said. "I'm going to miss my staff. There's no way our teams would be as successful without the amazing people I've had. We're all excellent friends and will remain friends.

"I bleed green and gold now."

v.fulkerson@theday.com