By Steve Bigham

The Newtown Middle School boys’ basketball team defeated Jockey Hollow of Monroe, 73-49 last Friday to take third place at the second annual Jockey Hollow Tournament. Andrew Fiscella, who scored a total of 71 points in the two games, was named tournament MVP.

The Lions’ win over Jockey Hollow avenged a heartbreaking 63-62 loss to Shelton the day before. Shelton went on to win the tournament, defeating Tomlinson in the championship game.

Against Jockey Hollow, Fiscella poured in a career-high 40 points, 21 of them coming in the second half when Newtown outscored the host team 46-19. The locals trailed, 28-27, at halftime. Fiscella, who averaged 26.4 points per game this season, buried one three-pointer and hit 9-of-11 foul shots for the game. However, it was his near-unstoppable baseline drives to the hoop that had his opponent frustrated. Ronnie Shimko added 15 points for Newtown, while Dave Anderson and John Oliver each scored four.

Newtown, which finishes its season at 11-6, also got seven rebounds and four blocked shots from Ross Coates, and Devon Manfredonia and Pat Armstrong each chipped in with four assists. Joe Defeo, Max Kaye, Dave Wesley and Shimko were strong in the paint, combining for 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Brian Smith, Ben Begaglio, Jim Dietter, Kyle Hadstedt and Mike Bonsignore played well defensively.

Against Shelton, Fiscella’s 31 points were not enough as the clock ran out on Newtown’s comeback. Shimko and Fiscella each buried three-pointers late to make it interesting.

“It was a good season. The kids practiced hard and played hard. We got everyone in to all but three games,” said first-year coach John Girard. “We started 3-3 at the beginning of the year, and to motivate them, I said they could shave my head if we won the rest of the games.”

The Lions came close, winning 8 of their last 11 to finish up a fine season. This was a team that came ready to play every night.

“Out motto this season was winning is the science of being prepared, so if I can get the kids prepared, I don’t have to do a lot of coaching during the game,” Girard said.

In other games, Newtown fell to New Fairfield despite a 14-point performance by Fiscella. Against Bethel, the Lions rolled 53-33 as Brian Smith led the way 10 points and Pat Armstrong scored nine. Newtown defeated Whisconier, 54-41, as Manfredonia and Bagaglio combined for 22 points.