Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team followed up its conference championship with a first-round Class LL State Tournament victory as the fifth-seeded Nighthawks defeated No. 28 Manchester 54-30, at home, on February 26.

With the win, the Hawks will host No. 12 Wethersfield, a 57-36 victor over No. 21 Fairfield Warde, on Friday, March 1; tipoff is set for 7 pm.

In the win over Manchester, Newtown led 35-15 at the half. Nicki DaPra scored a dozen points, Carlie Smith had ten, Amy Sapenter eight, and Emma Magazu six. Shea Murphy contributed five, and Jackie Matthews and Cyleigh Wilson added four apiece. Cailin Wilson scored three and Sarah Nowacki tacked on two.

Matthews led Newtown with ten rebounds and came away with a trio of steals. DaPra pulled down six rebounds. Magazu had four assists, two steals, and a pair of rebounds. Sapenter had three assists and three rebounds. Cyleigh Wilson had three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.