New London Whalers Upset Woodstock to Win ECC Division I Girls' Title

Underdog Whalers defeat regular-season champion Woodstock Academy 47-41 in championship game

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The New London Whalers, seeded fourth, upset the second-seeded Woodstock Academy Centaurs 47-41 to win the Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I girls' basketball tournament championship at Mohegan Sun Arena. Led by 19 points from Jaida Rivera, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, the Whalers overcame two regular-season losses to Woodstock to claim the title. Seniors Nyarah Dudley and Joy Schneider also made key contributions for New London, with Dudley scoring her 1,000th career point in the victory.

Why it matters

New London's win as the underdog over the regular-season champion Woodstock Academy is a testament to the Whalers' resilience and ability to peak at the right time. The victory marks the program's second ECC Division I tournament championship in the last four years, showcasing the team's sustained excellence despite facing roster turnover and a coaching change this season.

The details

New London, the No. 4 seed, faced an uphill battle against the second-seeded Woodstock Academy Centaurs, who had beaten the Whalers twice during the regular season. However, the Whalers were unfazed, led by a 19-point performance from Jaida Rivera, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Joarelisse Guzman added 16 points for New London, including four 3-pointers in the first quarter. Nyarah Dudley also reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career in the victory. New London outscored Woodstock 16-8 in the fourth quarter to secure the championship.

  • New London won the ECC Division I tournament championship at Mohegan Sun Arena on March 3, 2026.
  • Nyarah Dudley scored her 1,000th career point in the second quarter of the championship game.

The players

Jaida Rivera

A standout player for the New London Whalers, Rivera was named the Most Outstanding Player of the ECC Division I tournament after scoring 19 points in the championship game.

Nyarah Dudley

A senior for the New London Whalers, Dudley scored 6 points in the championship game, including the 1,000th point of her career.

Joarelisse Guzman

A key contributor for the New London Whalers, Guzman scored 16 points in the championship game, including four 3-pointers in the first quarter.

Vivian Bibeau

A player for the Woodstock Academy Centaurs, Bibeau scored 12 points in the championship game.

Kaylee Saucier

A player for the Woodstock Academy Centaurs, Saucier scored 12 points in the championship game.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone was pushing us off, like, 'Nope, they lost to Ledyard, they lost to Woodstock twice already. They're not in it. It's going to be an easy win.' But that's never the case with us.”

— Nyarah Dudley, Senior, New London Whalers (theday.com)

“And that's been, probably, my favorite part. ... We proved it. We got the win.”

— Keyokah Mars-Garrick, Head Coach, New London Whalers (theday.com)

“We played amazing. Not just great, we played amazing. We all talked as a team, we actually do it before the game. We prep ourselves and we talk about what we've got to fix for each other and what we want to do for each other. ... I've enjoyed every single moment of it.”

— Joy Schneider, Senior, New London Whalers (theday.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.