8 things we’re watching in the first and second rounds of the CIAC boys state tournament

Blake Lyons (right) helped South Windsor to the third seed in Class LL. (Eli Schwartzman)

With two more goals from star forward Adrian Rodriguez and another tally from Haverford commit Noah Rossoni under the lights against Stamford in Fairfield, Conn., on Wednesday night, Staples put a bow on the annual set of conference tournaments in the CIAC with a second consecutive FCIAC crown.

The only thing left to do in Connecticut?

Play the four state tournaments that will decide which teams lift CIAC trophies come Nov. 21 and Nov. 22.

The aforementioned Wreckers, the top seed in Class LL, very well might repeat as state champions. Tolland, the No. 3 team in our statewide top 10, is in our estimation the favorite to three-peat in Class M, while a host of squads will like their chances to be the eventual victor in Class L.

But the state championship games are still a long way away. And what happens over the next seven days will unquestionably shape what ends up transpiring on the weekend before Thanksgiving.

CIAC BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT LIVE BRACKETS: Class LL | Class L | Class M

The first round of the CIAC state tournament starts on Friday and continues through Saturday, before what will be a loaded slate of second-round matches on Monday. And there’s plenty of intrigue in said opening rounds, from what could be bracket-busting upsets to a slew of potential second-round games between legitimate contenders.

Here are 8 things we’re watching in the first and second rounds: