Notre Dame West-Haven, The CIAC Kings
Notre Dame High School (West Haven) is a private, Roman Catholic, co-educational college preparatory school in West Haven, CT, a coastal suburb of New Haven. Known as the Green Knights, Notre Dame competes in the Southern Connecticut Conference and boasts a very rich run of success in the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) realm.
The boys basketball program has been the state’s dominant force over the past three seasons. In March 2024, the Green Knights won the first state championship in program history, beating St. Bernard-Montville 52-46 at Mohegan Sun Arena to cap a perfect 28-0 season — the only undefeated team in Connecticut and the No. 1 team in the final GameTimeCT poll. It came in the school’s fifth title-game appearance. Junior Travis Upchurch was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
A year later they did it again, defeating St. Bernard 68-55 for the 2025 CIAC Division I State Championship — a second consecutive title and a rematch of the previous year’s final. Abdou Toure, a 6-6 guard (a John Calipari/Arkansas commit), scored 27 points as the MOP.
The team is coached by Jason Shea ‘97, a Notre Dame-West Haven alum who also serves as the school’s Athletic Director. Shea has led the program since the 2013-14 season after spending the previous 10 seasons as an assistant to longtime ND bench boss Gary Palladino.
Coach Shea, as player, captained the 1996-97 Green Knights earning New Haven Register All-Area honors, a spot on the Connecticut Post Super 15, and honorable mention All-State recognition. He went on to Connecticut College, served as a senior captain, and helped his teams to a combined 89-16 record with both an Elite Eight and a Final Four appearance.
Coach Shea’s 2026-27 team, as profiled below again looks formidable and deep.
Tyler Brevard (2027) 6’2 wing - A long wing, A+ shooter. Young for his grade so has some upside. D3 prospect who can who can guard and knock down open 3s. High gpa
Cyle Gore (2027) 5’10 point guard - An aggressive and competitive point guard. Excellent on-ball defender. Undersized, but makes up for it with aggression. Can knock down a shot (3) off the dribble and does a nice job creating for others. Missed most of last season with an injury.
Kadrian Reeves (2027) 6’1 point guard - A lefty, three-year starter, who is probably the quickest guard in the CIAC. He has a very high basketball IQ, and an excellent pull-up and ball screen game. He shot 35% from 3pt as a junior. First team All-SCC and 2nd team All-State last season. High gpa
Jaden Cintron (2028) 6’1 wing - A lefty, Cintron is an extremely athletic, which allows him to play much bigger than his measurements. He has a very good pull-up and finishing game. He blocks shots you would not expect him to block.
Ernest Ezekiel (2028) 6’6 small forward - Ezekiel is probably the most skilled big in the CIAC this season. He has an excellent ability to knock down the 3. He has the body type and skill set to be a D1 stretch 4.
Bobby Shea (2028) 6’3 guard - Shea is a high-level shooter with the ability to shoot a high percentage off flares, pin-downs, and zoom actions. He has a physically strong body type with the ability to guard positions against opponents’ top guards. One of the top shooters in the CIAC. High gpa
Sekou Toure (2028) 6’3 guard - Toure is a physically strong guard with high basketball IQ. Played point guard for the Guinea National 17u team in the World Cup. He is a very good shooter with the ability to play off two feet and get to spots. He had shoulder surgery in the spring and is expected back in mid-October.
Tyler Cain (2029) 6’3 point guard - One of the most underrated underclassmen in the state. He has great positional size, speed and aggression. He will be one of the best players in the state by next year. He can knock down the open shot, get to the basket and guard his position effectively. High gpa
Nate Daye (2029) 6’3 wing - Daye is a strong guard with a mature physical build already as a 10th grader. He has an excellent ability to get his own shot in the half-court. Saye is an A+ defender for his grade.
Massa Toure (2029) 6’3 guard - Ranked as a Top 10 player in New England by Prep Hoops. Toure is a very skilled offensive player. He gets to spots effectively and has the ability to play off the defender and score in a variety of ways. Also shows really good leadership qualities already as a 10th grader.
Dwayne Trail (2029) 6’3 small forward - Trail is a lefty, very strong and extremely athletic player. He is an A+ rebounder and finishes with authority above the rim. He is developing shot-making ability and could transition to more of a perimeter threat next season.
Major Wantue (2029) 6’7 forward - Wantue is a very athletic and high-motor forward. He blocks shots and finishes above the rim. A high ceiling prospect, with the tools to develop into an effective stretch 4.
Tahir Holland (2030) 6’8 wing - Although only a freshman, he is already skilled as a very lengthy wing. He handles the ball very well and can make an open shot or pull-up. As his shot develops and he adds strength, Holland will be a top prospect, potentially nationally.
Chris Rivers (2030) 6’5 forward - A lefty with a very strong body and a very good skill set for a freshman. He will likely grow into a 6’7’ or taller forward, who can stretch a defense with his shot.
For college scouts looking to attend one of the program’s Fall Open Gyms sessions, those details can be found by clicking here.