Losing 70 percent of his scoring from a year ago, Wethersfield coach Brian Fanelli expected his team to be around 12-8 or 13-7.

Certainly he didn’t expect the Eagles to be 20-1 heading into the semifinals of the Central Connecticut Conference tournament.

So after taking a hit on the offensive end, the key, Fanelli said, has been defense. Wethersfield is holding opponents under 40 points per game with a variety of defenses and kept a high-scoring Manchester team under that total twice.

Wethersfield isn’t tall either. They don’t have a starter over 5 feet 9, just five versatile seniors who understand their roles.

On the offensive end, Fordham-bound guard Abigail Corning leads the team at 19 points per game and is also averaging 10 rebounds, six steals and four blocks.

Wethersfield will be one of many contenders in a deep Class L state tournament.

“If we do anything, it will be because of defense,” Fanelli said.