We gave the Panthers a little pump in our "Who's hot" brief in last weeks. But they deserve much, much more then that. Since starting 0-2, Platt Tech has won 15 straight and has outscored its opponents a little more than an average of 5-1. The latest was a 15-3 victory over Abbott Tech.

We caught up to coach John Carew and after a quick discussion for this week's notebook, we came to a conclusion: This is the best Platt Tech baseball team in ... well we don't quite know yet, but it's been awhile. It's certainly the best under Carew, whose previous best was 10-10.

The Panthers will wrap up their regular season with games against 5-9 Whitney Tech, and then SCC's Career and West Haven (which defeated Platt Tech 14-1 this season). But it has already clinched the top seed in the CSC West Division and is aiming at winning its first league title since 1994. Their 15-2 record is the best in at least 10 years... maybe more.

And, with pitchers Pat Re and Chris Dunn back from injuries, the Panthers are at full strength for the playoffs. Not that they've needed them. Platt Tech's lineup, which was an unknown to start the season, averages 13.5 runs a game.

Don't look now, that's Platt Tech sitting pretty as the No. 2 seed in the Class L tournament.

Platt Tech as plenty to prove, however. CSC schools are not historically tough in the state tournament. Carew's never won a first-round game in his seven years. Norwich Tech (in Class M, 2000) is the only CSC school to reach the state championship game in the history of the state tournament. But, just like Bullard-Havens in football, it should be interesting.