Note: After the print version of this article went to press on March 3, the March 6 game was canceled.

STRATFORD — Each time host Stratford High School built a big, often double-digit lead, Newtown’s boys’ basketball team showed its resiliency and clawed back to get back into the game during a February 26 clash in the Red Devils’ new, big, bright gymnasium.

In the end, however, the Nighthawks came up short in a 59-50 Stratford triumph. The good news for Newtown, though, is that Coach Tim Tallcouch’s Nighthawks are young — center Jack Petersen is the lone senior — do not quit, and are building from each game.

“The spirit and the fight was there throughout. I think we missed shots we can make — open, good looks,” Tallcouch said.

“They do not give up. They played ’til the final buzzer,” the coach added. “Maybe we don’t see the result at this moment, but the results will happen.”

After falling behind 16-9 after one quarter of play, the Nighthawks found themselves down ten points with under two minutes left in the opening half before slicing the deficit in half capped by Petersen’s incredible three-quarter court buzzer-beater that hit nothing but net. It was 28-23 Red Devils at the break.

The Nighthawks inched closer on a Petersen free throw early in the third quarter, pulling to within four points.

Stratford used an 11-0 run from late in the third quarter into the fourth to build a 50-32 advantage with 5:21 to go. Isaiah Williams ended the run by causing a turnover and scoring. Saahil Ray’s right corner 3-pointer made it 50-37 just before the mid-point of the eight-minute period.

Cam Ward’s pressure defense led to a Joe McCray basket despite a foul, and the Hawks were within 11 with 3:02 to play. After a Stratford free throw, Newtown’s Williams was set up by Charlie Sepp in close for a hoop to make it 51-41 with 2:40 left.

After another Red Devil foul shot, a pair of Sepp free throws — including a front end one and one — got it down to single digits at 52-43 with 1:20 to play.

Ward had two late baskets despite fouls, and Liam O’Connell canned a 3-pointer to bring Newtown to within five points at 55-50 with 14 seconds left.

NHS missed some in close second- and third-chance follow-ups, as well as midrange and long distance open looks, and went just 5-for-12 from the free throw line.

Williams finished with 13 points, Petersen scored ten, Sepp had eight, and Ward scored six.

Sepp pulled down nine rebounds, and Williams and Petersen had seven and six boards, respectively. Petersen dished out five assists. Petersen and McCray each had a trio of steals.

The Nighthawks lost 72-59 at Pomperaug of Southbury on Thursday. The Nighthawks are to visit New Milford on Tuesday, March 9. The Saturday, March 6 game with Joel Barlow of Redding has been canceled due to coronavirus protocol. The Masuk of Monroe and Notre Dame-Fairfield games, each postponed due to coronavirus-related issues with those teams, have been rescheduled. The Masuk game is now set for Thursday, March 11, when the Panthers come to NHS at 6 pm (originally 7 pm), and the Notre Dame game is Saturday, March 13, when the Nighthawks host the Lancers at 11:15 am.