Mask-wearing for athletes is challenging under any circumstances, but for teams that play at a practically nonstop fast pace, it can only be even more difficult as a coronavirus-impacted season unfolds.

“It is extremely challenging. We are doing a quarter of the conditioning that we normally do. We are hoping that our uptempo style and depth can be even more of a factor with everyone having to wear masks while playing — hoping wearing masks doesn’t have a negative impact on us,” said Jeremy O’Connell, coach of Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team, which is known for its pressuring defense and run-the-floor offense, designed to wear teams down.

“This is almost a detriment to us,” said O’Connell, noting that in addition to the scale-back in conditioning, mask breaks during games will slow things down.

The Nighthawks are coming off a season that left the returnees with some unfinished business. Following its South-West Conference tournament runner-up finish, the Nighthawks had an odd and frustrating end to the campaign. They were just one win away from advancing to a state title game when the season was canceled due to the virus.

“Still and always will be disappointed that we weren’t able to finish last season, especially being in the state semifinals. We are happy that we will have the opportunity to have a modified season and hope that we can finish it,” O’Connell said.

Seniors are forward Julia Gerace and guards Emma Magazu and Shea Murphy. Senior guard/forward Maddie Patrick is a key addition. The college-bound player from town is a standout from Waterbury-based Chase Collegiate School, which is shut down due to the virus.

Other key players are junior guard/forward Chloe O’Connell, junior center Molly McCleary, junior forward Kendall Reed, junior guard Molly Connors, sophomore center Allie Bradley, sophomore guard Bella Gerace, and sophomore forward Kristen Reisert.

Stiff competition stands to come from defending conference champion Notre Dame-Fairfield, along with Pomperaug of Southbury, Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport, and New Fairfield.

The Hawks lost five players to graduation but are striving to be competitive and end this season with a win — ideally at the completion of the slate. There will be no state tournament due to the shortened season, but O’Connell’s team is looking to win the conference.

“Always hoping to be one of the top teams in the SWC and fight for an SWC championship,” said the coach, whose team’s season begins Monday, February 8, when Bethel comes to town for a 6 pm tipoff.