1969 State Championship Basketball Team

The 1968-69 Prep state championship basketball team, the first in school history, was not only No. 1 in Connecticut that season, it is widely regarded as one of the best teams in state history.

Under the direction of Athletic Hall of Fame coach Bob Sylvester and anchored by All-American and Athletic Hall of Famer Jim Fitzsimmons, the Jesuits finished with a 23-1 record and were ranked No. 1 in New England.

With Fitzsimmons and fellow co-captain the late Hal Smith at the forefront, Prep steamrolled the competition to the tune of 95 points per game en route to its third straight league title. Fitzsimmons set a school and then-state record with 64 points in 138-67 rout of Law late in the season.

The Jesuits won the title by defeating East Catholic of Manchester 61-51 in the Class L final as Fitzsimmons scored 20 points and was selected tournament MVP. Point guard Wally Halas added 17 points and ran the floor flawlessly.

The team consisted of head coach Sylvester; assistant coach Bob Mastroni; Fitzsimmons; Smith;  Halas; the late Jim Naveken; Jim Kroesser; Jim Connolly; Scott Butterworth; Dom Serino; Mike D'Andrea; Nick Tarasovic; Peter Lyddy; Gene Karpinski; and Ron Stone.