It's about 30 minutes before No. 7 Branford and No. 3 Mercy tip off. The TD Bank Sports Center is still pretty empty. One notable face - former UConn standout and assistant Quinnipiac men's coach Scott Burrell - is in the stands.

Top-seeded Hillhouse will face No. 5 Lyman Hall in the second meeting, which is set to begin at 7:45 p.m.

Some notes about the first game...

Branford comes in at 18-4 and beat No. 10 Wilbur Cross and No. 2 Career to earn a berth in the semifinals. The Hornets have the area's top scorer in Courtney Schissler (22.3 ppg). Branford reached the championship in 2008, but lost to Career. The Hornets are making their ninth SCC playoff appearance.

Mercy comes in at 16-5. The Tigers beat No. 6 Sheehan to reach the semifinals. Amber Bepko leads the Tigers at 16.4 ppg. Mercy won the SCC title in 2007, beating Guilford. The Tigers are making their 14th SCC appearance. Mercy swept the season series against the Hornets, beating them twice during the regular season.