By Kim J. Harmon

Early December – this is the time of year when there should be nothing on the minds of the Lady Nighthawks preparing for the 1999-2000 season . . . nothing, that is, except thoughts of promise and hope.

But as the 1999-2000 season begins this week, the ‘Hawks had something else on their minds as well – the loss of their starting center and co-captain, Amanda Marsilio, who will lose the entire season because of a blown anterior cruciate ligament suffered in a scrimmage last week against Ridgefield.

“People will have to step up,” said coach Gregg Simon, moments after an emotional team meeting, “and I think we have the people here who can do it.”

This is the kind of crushing blow that can beat down a team. After all, Marsilio is one of the top two inside players in the South-West Conference and arguments can be made either way whether it’s Amanda or Megan Miller of Jonathan Law who is No. 1.

However, the Lady Night-hawks may be better able to handle this type of misfortune than they would have one or two years ago. In fact, coach Simon pointed out to his team that back in the 1995-1996 season, the ‘Hawks lost center Liz Glaser for 10 games and still managed to win more games than any team in Newtown High School history.

Can they do it again?

Well – why not? With Marsilio on the team, the ‘Hawks had every right to see themselves, in February, fighting for an SWC championship. What can still get them there – in spite of the loss of Marsilio and in spite of the fact that there is now just one starter on the floor from a year ago – is the proven talent in the new lineup, the depth on the bench, and a switch back to the old fast-paced, push-it-up-the-floor style of basketball that would take advantage of the inherent speed on the team.

“We have 10 kids returning to the varsity team,” said coach Simon, “and many of them received significant playing time last year, so we have experience. But we only have one senior on the floor, so we’re young.”

The task of taking over for Marsilio in the middle will fall largely to sophomore Lisa Masella, who has improved dramatically – almost exponentially – since her eighth-grade season at the Newtown Middle School. She has the size, the height, and the reach to cover the position – but now her offensive game will need to improve even more.

“She has been thrust into the role,” said coach Simon, “but I have tremendous faith that Lisa can do the job.”

The pressure to perform, however, won’t be nearly as crushing as it might have been had the ‘Hawks not been so strong as their other positions. As it is, the talents of Morgan Haines, Ally Gellert, Jayme Beckham, Lori Iwanicki, Jessica Oswald, Kate Ryan, Lauren Adamek and Mary Bell will serve to shoulder equal parts of the burden.

“We have a lot of positives going for us,” coach Simon admitted.

Haines will do most of her work at the point, displaying her excellent ball distribution and tenacious defensive skills. Gellert will handle a little of the point, but play mostly at the two guard where her ball handling and shooting ability will be utilized.

In the middle – playing a little guard but mostly small forward – Beckham, a real gritty type of performer, will be handling a lot of the tough, body-banging work that almost always goes unnoticed in the box score, but is still invaluable. Iwanicki will also play the two guard and the small forward position, utilizing her good outside shot with her great feel for the game.

Oswald will be the sharpshooter on the team, shooting off the long-range missiles from beyond the three-point arc. But she has been hobbled a bit in recent weeks because of a back injury suffered during soccer season.

Ryan, also a co-captain, will split time between the small and power forward positions, displaying her ability to run the floor with her ability to spot up and taking a good outside shot. Adamek will spell Ryan, giving the ‘Hawks a strong rebounding presence down low.

Bell, meanwhile, is a good hustler, runs the court well, and should see some time at the power forward position.

The ‘Hawks should still be in a decent position as the 1999-2000 season began on Thursday down at St. Joseph’s of Trumbull. They still have size, they have more speed than they have had in the last few years, and they can shoot.

“We shot the ball well against Staples,” said coach Simon, “but even when we’re not shooting well we can run the floor.”

Losing their starting center is a tough break – one of the toughest – but the ‘Hawks have the talent to persevere.

DATE OPPONENT H/A  TIME

December 9   St. Joseph’s  A       7:00

December 10  Danbury        H       7:00

December 14  Joel Barlow    A       7:00

December 17  Weston         H       7:00

December 22  Kolbe Cathedral       A       5:15

December 28  Masuk Holiday         A       6:00

December 30  Masuk Holiday         A       TBA

January 4       Pomperaug     H       7:00

January 7       Stratford       H       7:00

January 11     New Fairfield A       7:00

January 14     Notre Dame   A       7:00

January 18     New Milford   H       7:00

January 21     Masuk A       7:00

January 25     Brookfield      H       7:00

January 28     Immaculate    H       7:00

February 1    Bunnell         A       7:00

February 8    Bethel H       7:00

February 11   Jonathan Law A       7:00

February 14   Lauralton Hall          A       8:00

February 16   Foran  H       7:00

SWC Quarter-Finals: February 19 at Bunnell

SWC Semi-Finals: February 22 at Pomperaug

SWC Finals: February 25 at Pomperaug