Norwich Free Academy senior guard Kastine Evans was named the 2009-10 Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year today.


Evans, who is headed to Kentucky, was a Register All-State selection last season. Evans will look to lead NFA, the defending Class LL state champions, against Manchester in the Class LL semifinals Saturday.

Evans is the fourth player in NFA girls' basketball history to earn the award.

Lauralton Hall senior Keylantra Langley was clearly the best player on the floor last night in the Crusaders 65-42 win over Lyman Hall in the Hand Holiday Tournament championship.

But Langley also showed why she may be the best player in the state.

Despite an injured back, she dropped 27 points, was a lockdown defender and displayed her tremendous court vision. During a key 11-0 run for Lauralton Hall in the third quarter, she had a hand in four of the five baskets.

Playing alongside Molly Yardley last season, Langley showed glimpses of her talent.

Now Lauralton Hall is her team. With plenty of depth and coasting to five of its six wins, the Crusaders haven't had to rely on Langley much so far. But when they need her to, Langley proved she is more than capable of shouldering the load.

It's no surprise she will play in the Big East next season. Langley is headed to St. John's.

Norwich Free Academy's Kastine Evans is also in the discussion for the state's top player. She is headed to Kentucky next season and led her team to the Class LL title last year.

If Evans and NFA are hoping to repeat, they may have to go through Lauralton Hall in order to do so.

Evans and Langley head-to-head? What a matchup that would be.