BEYOND THE ARC – Today is 12/12/12, but if anything out of the ordinary was supposed to happen, it took place yesterday. Mercy showed none, Gabby Holness didn’t either and Lyman Hall forgot how to lose. Cross your fingers and make a wish, here’s what caught my eye.

ROAR – Career, the preseason No. 1, is the heavy favorite to win the Southern Connecticut Conference. No. 3 Mercy was thought to be the only team that could trip up Career. Last night in New Haven, the Tigers showed why draining seven 3-pointers, holding the Panthers to just six second-quarter points and walking away with a 64-53 victory over the best team in the state. Mercy (3-0)’s Jordyn Nappi had a game-high 27 points and nailed five from downtown. For Career (2-1), A-lister and Manhattan-bound guard Nicole Anderson had a team-high 25 points. Career takes on another top-10 team Thursday, traveling to Weaver High School to take on No. 9 Capital Prep in the Doc Hurley Classic. Expect some changes in the top-10.

WHEN IT COUNTS – Foran’s Alexandra Librandi only scored two points in the second half against Sheehan, however, those two points were very important. Librandi hit a jumper with 4.9 second left in the game to lift Foran over Sheehan 48-47 as the Lions battled back from a nine-point deficit. Foran (2-1) freshman center Taylor Ceballos had another strong game with 22 points and 14 rebounds. For Sheehan, Joelle Mark Anthony had 16 points.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES – Last season, Lyman Hall finished 0-20 and lost games by an average of 18 points per game. Things are a lot different this season, as the Trojans are 3-0 after defeating Guilford 43-40 last night. Samantha Becker and Krista Petersen both scored eight points to lead Lyman Hall. The Trojans have found different ways to win, defeating West Haven by 13 and just getting by Foran by two in overtime. Nicole and Taylor Mierzejewski have both led the team in scoring, too.

 
WHERE BROOKLYN AT? – Is probably a joke this young lady is tired of hearing. However, North Haven guard Brooklyn Davis was in the paint a lot in a 44-35 victory over Hamden. Davis had 10 points and 14 rebounds in the Indians’ (2-0) victory.

Starting Five: The top five performers from last night’s action

Jordyn Nappi, No. 3 Mercy: She scored a game-high 27 points and made five 3-pointers in a 64-53 triumph over No. 1 Career.

Taylor Ceballos, Foran: Finished with a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds in a 48-47 victory over Sheehan.

Missy Bailey, Cheshire: The guard had a game-high 21 points, made seven out of eight free throws and added six steals in a 53-43 victory over No. 10 Hillhouse.

Mia Neas, Old Saybrook: She finished with a game-high 26 points in a 57-35 win over Portland.

Gabby Holness, Pomperaug: Had a game-high 34 points, eight boards and six steals in a 57-49 victory over Newtown.

What’s going on?

NEW HAVEN REGISTER: Local roundups and box scores

MIDDLETOWN PRESS: Local roundup

RECORD JOURNAL: Foran gets it done in the clutch. Toby Carmody has the story.

REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN: Watertown takes care of Ansonia. Joe Palladino has more.