Newtown Girls’ Basketball Tests Character … And Passes

By Kim J. Harmon

Sometimes a sports fan is lucky enough to see a defining moment in the life of an athlete or team and anyone who braved the frosty temperatures on Saturday for the Newtown-Pomperaug girls’ basketball game may have seen one of those defining moments.

The Lady Nighthawks blew a big lead to Masuk and got crushed by Notre Dame and Kolbe Cathedral and the rest of the teams in the South-West Conference – sensing blood in the water – have been circling like hungry sharks waiting for a crack at one of the conference’s perennial powers.

Pomperaug had its chance on Saturday and jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first period, going up as much as 15 in the second.

But what could be the defining moment of the 2003-04 season – the moment that may have righted the ship – came in the third period when the ‘Hawks shut out the Panthers and then rallied to a 49-44 win.

Maybe a moment like that will come for the hockey team (which has dropped three in a row while scoring just one goal) or the swim team (which is hoping to unseat Brookfield or Pomperaug in the SWC) or the basketball team (which is looking better than most people expected) or the wrestling team (which has been so close against some of the top teams in the state).

Let’s wait and see –

Girls’ Basketball

Like a political battle, it became a character issue.

Last Saturday against Pomperaug, the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team was suffering more of the doldrums that have plagued it throughout the season, falling into a 12-0 off the opening tip and languishing in a nine-point hole at the end of the first half.

The Lady Nighthawks nearly blew a big lead against Kolbe Cathedral in the season opener, did blow a big lead to Masuk in the finals of the Masuk Holiday Tournament, then was trounced by Notre Dame and soundly beaten by Kolbe only recently.

And last Saturday it was just more of the same.

“At halftime we challenged their character,” said head coach Tim Salem, “and they came out and proved themselves.”

The ‘Hawks – in what most hope may be the key turning point in the season – put together an exceptional defensive effort in the third quarter (shutting out the Lady Panthers) and went on to a thrilling 49-44 win.

“We came in with a lot of confidence,” said Ashley Larocque, who helped lead the ‘Hawks with 12 points, “and we thought we could still pull it out. You don’t think about how far you’re down. You have to keep your head up.”

With Kelly Haines under the weather and suffering a poor shooting night (2-of-16 from the floor for only six points), the ‘Hawks got a lift from a couple of unlikely sources: Julie Iwanicki, who runs the point but shoots only rarely, scored 13 points (5-of-7 from the line and back-up center Katie O’Connor scored six points and blocked three key shots along the way.

Pomperaug jumped out to a 12-0 start in the first 4:04 of the game. After Stephanie Logan scored a bucket and the Panthers responded with a couple of foul shots, the ‘Hawks went on an 8-0 run on baskets by Logan, Larocque, Haines and Tori Filler.

It looked as if the ‘Hawks had woken up – finally.

Haines dropped in a pair of free throws early in the second half to trim the lead to just four, 19-15, but then the Panthers went on an 11-0 run to take a 30-15 lead in the second period. Somehow – probably with Iwanicki scoring seven points in the remainder of the half – the ‘Hawks managed to creep within nine, 36-27.

Coach Salem then made the challenge – and switched to a zone defense – and the ‘Hawks responded by scoring 10 points and keeping the Panthers off the scoreboard (0-for-13 from the floor). Larocque’s baseline jumper with 52 seconds left in the period gave the ‘Hawks their first lead of the game.

“When you’re down 15, it’s tough to keep your head in the game,” said Larocque. “But we played good defense and from good defense comes good offense.”

The ‘Hawks lost the lead, though, with 2:35 left in the game, but Jacky Curran responded 41 seconds later with her only basket of the game, a shot in the low blocks that gave the ‘Hawks the lead, 45-44, for good.

The nail in the coffin was a basket by O’Connor with 35 seconds left. The ‘Hawks were trying to work the clock, but O’Connor was left open in the post and Haines fired a quick pass for the easy lay-in. After Iwanicki dropped in a pair of free throws to salt the game away, O’Connor put the final emphasis on it with a baseline block.

Against New Fairfield, things went considerably easier as Haines (18), Logan (15) and Siobhan Cooper (14) lifted the ‘Hawks to an 83-50 win. Filler added a season-high 10 points to help power the offense.

The ‘Hawks scored 27 points in the opening period and never looked back.

The ‘Hawks will travel to Stratford on Friday to battle Bunnell and will return home on Tuesday and Thursday of next week for conference showdowns with Foran and Bethel.

NOTE: With her 18 points against New Fairfield, Kelley Haines is now just 76 points shy of passing Lynn Lattanzio as the girls’ all-time leading scorer in Newtown High School history.

Pomperaug                     44

Newtown                         49

NEWTOWN (49): Iwanicki 4 5-7 13, Curran 1 0-0 2, Logan 3 1-2 7, Simek 0 1-2 1, Larocque 4 4-4 12, Cooper 0 0-0 0, Filler 1 0-0 2, Haines 2 2-2 6, O’Connor 3 0-1 7. (TOTALS: 18 13-18 49). POMPERAUG (44): Balouskas 1 0-0 2, Ackerman 2 3-4 9, Moore 2 0-0 5, Northrup 1 1-5 3, Maguire 6 2-2 14, Koliani 4 0-0 9, Kulish 0 0-0 0, Johannes 1 0-1 2, Allen 0 0-0 0 (TOTALS: 17 6-12 44).

Three-pointers: Ackerman (P) 2, Moore (P), Koliani (P).

Newtown                         83

New Fairfield                50

NEWTOWN (83): Fiscella 0 0-0 0, Iwanicki 4 0-0 8, Curran, 1 0-0 2, Palermo 0 0-0 0, Logan 7 1-1 15, Larocque 2 0-0 4, King 0 0-0 0, Cooper 7 0-0 14, Filler 4 2-2 10, Haines 7 2-2 18, O’Connor 3 0-1 6, Gaston 1 0-0 2, Foehrenbach 1 0-0 2, Curran 0 0-0 0 (TOTALS: 38 5-7 83). NEW FAIRFIELD (50): Schall 0 0-0 0, Macey 1 0-0 2, Smith 0 0-0 0, Albohn 6 0-0 12, Valentini 3 0-0 8, Noreika 2 2-4 7, Donovan 3 3-4 9, LoBraco 0 0-0 0 (TOTALS: 21 5-8 50).

Three-pointers: Haines (N) 2, Valentini (NF) 2, Noreika (NF).

Swimming

In a meet that held almost no drama (the Bunnell/Stratford team is not what it used to be), two divers made everyone stand up and take notice.

Steve Truitt and CJ Maurer put together the finest dual meet performances of their career in a 92-85 win over Bunnell/Stratford – with Truitt scoring 214.60 points (in an exhibition performance) and Maurer scoring 202.15 points. And as a shining example of how strong the Newtown High School diving contingent is, Bryan Lacouture scored 176.80 points.

Yeah, it was a good day off the board.

“We had a couple of days rest,” explained Maurer, “and I was more relaxed and didn’t expect too much.”

Truitt and Maurer are making a case that they may be the two best divers in the South-West Conference … but remembering the fact that they finished second and third, respectively, against Pomperaug back on Tuesday, January 6.

“We had a really bad meet – there’s just no other way to say it,” said Truitt.

So it goes without saying that the two co-captains are on a mission.

“Yeah – one, two in the SWCs,” said Maurer, who was second in the SWCs last year (while Truitt was fourth). “I’ll be upset that I didn’t finish first, but if it’s second to him then that will be okay.”

Diving was one of the few moments of excitement available at the meet on Tuesday afternoon. The Nighthawks took first in seven of the first eight events and had an 88-37 lead before finally going unofficially (completely or partially) in the final four events.

The 200 medley relay team of Zach Moliver, Jake Maher, Andrew Heller and Chris Jacob took the initial first-place finish in 1:56.55 – a 14 second win. Then Dave LaMarche (200 freestyle – 2:07.81), Heller (200 individual medley – 2:15.11), Jacob (50 freestyle – 24.57), Maurer (diving – 202.15 points) and Heller again (100 butterfly – 59.90) all followed with first-place finishes.

After Maher was edged out in the 100 freestyle (54.03 to 57.79), Scott Whalley grabbed a first-place finish in the 500 freestyle (6:06.09). Jim Morlath had a strong performance in the 500 free, as well, nearly falling behind in the final 50 yards but using a solid turn and a strong pull in the final 25 yards to earn a .38-second edge.

Whalley (200 free), Modzelewski (50 free), Lacouture (diving), LaMarche (100 butterfly) and Maher (100 freestyle) all had second-place finishes.

Sean Reilly, who was thrust into the 100 free at the very last moment, took fifth and Mike Parker had a strong fifth-place swim in the 500 free. In other finishes, Morlath (fourth in 200 freestyle – 2:18.89), Maher (fourth in 200 individual medley – 2:29.51), Ali Swink (fourth in 50 freestyle – 35.16), Lauren Borusso (fourth in diving – 149.30 points), Nick M. (third in 100 freestyle – 1:03.86) and PJ O’Dell (fourth in 100 breaststroke – 1:28.44) all performed well.

The ‘Hawks will host defending SWC champion Brookfield on Tuesday, January 27, at 7 pm.

Wrestling

Beating the teams it should beat and coming close against some of the best teams in the state – that has been the recipe for success for the Newtown High School wrestling team, which had another successful weekend at the Staples Duals.

The Nighthawks racked up three more wins (48-30 over Staples, 66-18 over Masuk and 72-12 over Green Farms Academy) and suffered just one loss (54-30 to Greenwich, which is 15-1 on the year) to improve to 8-4 overall and 5-2 in the South-West Conference.

“We have beaten the teams we should beat,” said head coach Alan Potter, “but we have never done better against top flight competition like 15-1 Greenwich, SWC champs Bethel, and Class M champs Killingly. This is a young team with only four seniors and, yet, we have been in every match this year and we are doing it without any superstars. It’s different people coming through in each match … which is the definition of team.”

The ‘Hawks fell to New Fairfield, 42-31, last Wednesday before traveling to Westport for the Staples Duals.

In the loss to New Fairfield, the ‘Hawks fell into a 36-12 hole and made a furious rally that just fell short. Through the first nine matches of the evening, only Skye Perry (160) and Dan Schierloh (275) earned wins … Perry by pin and Schierloh by forfeit.

The ‘Hawks made a run, though, as Dan McIlrath (112) and Steve Giacolone (119) both earned pins. After Dan Kearns (125) battled to a tough, 8-7, decision and Jeff Bray (130) worked out a 12-3 major decision, the ‘Hawks trimmed the New Fairfield lead to just five points.

The Rebels came up with the pin at 140, though, to take the match.

“Being down 36-12, most teams throw in the towel,” said coach Potter. “But not this team.”

The ‘Hawks made up for the loss with a strong showing on Saturday.

In the win over Masuk, Alex Read (4-0 on the day) pinned Nick Jeramia in 1:01 in the 189-pound class to start the rout. Kearns (125) in 11 seconds, Breitling (215) in 27 seconds, Bray (130) in 58 seconds and McIlrath (103) in 84 seconds all earned pins in a combined three minutes of action. The flurry slowed, but only a little, as Jeff Lipnick (112) earned his first varsity pin in 3:11. Gary Andrews (145) pinned his man in 3:44 and Perry (160) pinned his man in 1:58 to finish off the Panthers.

In the win over Green Farms Academy, Kearns (125) rallied for a pin while Brian McLaughlin (135) and Teddy Giffen (160) earned their first varsity pins. In the loss to Greenwich, Read (171), McIlrath (103), Bray (130) and Andrews (145) all had pins and Breitling (189) had a forfeit win, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cardinals.

This set up a battle with Staples for second place in the Duals.

“We have had very little success against Staples over the years,” said coach Potter. “So (Steve) Ford and I felt this would be a good gauge of how this year’s team was improving. We knew it would be very close and would take some big efforts to get the win.”

And big efforts were just what the ‘Hawks got.

Read (171) earned a tough 3:03 pin of Kyle Langford to give the ‘Hawks a 6-0 lead. Then after Mike Cash (189) grabbed a forfeit win, Breitling (215) pinned Evan James in 1:15 to put the ‘Hawks on top, 18-0. Although Brandon Thomas (275) was bested by Steven Beckoff, the ‘Hawks took a 24-6 lead on John Monaco’s (103) forfeit win.

McIlrath (112) followed with a 4-2 loss to Peter Menchaca, but it was a thrilling match to the end.

“Dan was super in that match … and all day,” said coach Potter. “He won three times and showed his best form of the year.”

Giacolone (119) and Kearns (125) both worked out pins to stake the ‘Hawks to a 36-9 lead and while the Wreckers rallied back with wins at 130, 135 and 140 to cut the lead to 36-24, Andrews (145) and Perry (160) slammed the door with pins in their respective weight classes.

“The Staples match was a great win,” said coach Potter. “Everyone wrestled well and showed the heart and guts of true competitors.”

The ‘Hawks traveled to Milford to battle Jonathan Law on Wednesday (after press time) and will be at the Morgan Duels on Saturday (weigh-in at 7:30 am, wrestling at 9 am). They will return home on Wednesday, January 28, to host Bunnell.

Newtown                         66

Masuk                               18

103 – McIlrath (N) pinned Viglione (M) 1:24; 112 – Lipnick (N) pinned Fluder (M) 3:11; 119 – Giacolone (N) by forfeit; 125 – Kearns (N) pinned Pyrche (M) :11; 130 – Bray (N) pinned Flashman (M) :58; 135 – Molina (M) pinned Terhaar (N) 3:52; 140 – Sgammato (N) by forfeit; 145 – Andrews (N) pinned Gallagher (M) 3:44; 152 – Ryan (M) pinned O’Connor (N) 1:03; 160 – Perry (N) pinned Buyoksolak (M) 1:58; 171 – Provenvano (M) by forfeit; 189 – Read (N) pinned Jeramia (M) 1:01; 215 – Breitling (N) pinned Berkheiser (M) :27; 275 – Thomas (N) by forfeit.

Greenwich                      54

Newtown                         30

103: McIlrath (N) pinned Clarke (G) 1:24; 112 – Jerombak (G) pinned Lipnick (N) 1:08; 119 – Williamson (G) pinned Giacolone (N) 3:48; 125 – Moloinago (G) pinned Kearns (N) 1:06; 130 – Bray (N) pinned Cici (G) 1:31;135 – Damiano (G) pinned McLaughlin (N) 1:29; 140 – Ceiro (G) pinned Sgammato (N) 2:42; 145 – Andrews (N) pinned Rincin (G) 2:20; 152 – Binse (G) pinned O’Connor (N) 1:28;160 – Celis (G) pinned Perry (N) 3:50;171 – Read (N) pinned Ospana (G) 5:59; 189 – Breitling (N) by forfeit; 215 – Hengo (G) pinned Thomas (N) 2:49; 275 – Schacter (G) pinned Shierloh (N) :30.

Newtown                         48

Staples                             30

103: Monaco (N) by forfeit; 112 – Menchaca (S) dec. McIlrath (N) 4-2; 119 – Giacolone (N) pinned Tolle (S) 3:54; 125 – Kearns (N) pinned Hermosa (S) :55; 130 – Holzman (S) dec. Bray (N) 6-5; 135 – Fichei (S) pinned McLaughlin (N) 4:09; 140 – Freeman (S) pinned Sgammato (N) 2:46; 145 – Andrews (N) pinned O’Day (S) 1:30; 152 – Zenreich (S) pinned O’Connor (N) 1:54; 160 – Perry (N) pinned Gau (S) :22; 171 – Read (N) pinned Langford (S) 3:03; 189 – Cash (N) by forfeit; 215 – Breitling (N) pinned James (S) 1:15; 275 – Beckoff (S) pinned Thomas (N) 5:26.

Hockey

It could officially be called a drought.

Following a 2-1 win over Division I Milford back on Wednesday, January 7, the Newtown High School hockey team (4-8 overall, 4-3 in the South-West Conference) lost three consecutive games and went some 100 minutes without scoring a single goal.

The drought started right after Buzz LaPorta scored the game-winner against Milford with 49 seconds left in the third period and the drought ended when Travis Speer notched his second goal of the season off an assist from Corey Regensburger in a 3-1 loss to Watertown last Saturday.

The loss to Watertown on Saturday (at the Taft School rink) was the Nighthawks’ second in a row to the Indians in a home-and-home series. Last Wednesday, the ‘Hawks dropped a 3-0 decision at the Danbury Ice Arena.

The Indians scored twice in the first period and once in the third.

The ‘Hawks worked hard in this game, despite the final score, and really picked up the pace in the third period but just couldn’t find the net. The closest they came was in the third when freshman defenseman Pat Daly clanged a puck off the post.

In the 3-1 loss last Saturday, Speer scored the goal off the Regensburger assist and goaltender Peter Oggeri notched 16 saves. The ‘Hawks did manage some offense, peppering Watertown goaltender Tom Blauvelt with 33 shots.

The ‘Hawks were looking to rebound on Wednesday against Housatonic Valley (after press time). The ‘Hawks will then host New Milford on Saturday at the Danbury Ice Arena.

Newtown                           1

Watertown                        3

GOALS: Newtown – T. Speer; Watertown – Peithol (2), O’Brien. ASSISTS: Newtown – Regensburger; Watertown – Sorois, Reidl, Leskowicz. SHOTS: Newtown – 33; Watertown – 19. SAVES: Newtown – Oggeri 16; Watertown – Blauvelt 33.

Boys’ Basketball

It was almost too easy.

Andrew Fiscella scored a career-high 39 points – 21 of those coming in the third quarter – to lead the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team to a convincing 75-51 win over New Fairfield on Tuesday.

It was the second game in a row – really, the second day in a row – that the Nighthawks’ offense went hog wild. On Monday, the ‘Hawks crushed Pomperaug, 89-43, and with the two wins ran their record to 7-3 overall, 5-1 in the South-West Conference.

The ‘Hawks were in a seven-point hole at the end of the first period, but exploded for 49 points in the second and third quarters to completely take over the game. Ron Shimko canned a career-high 15 points while Dave Anderson chipped in with 13.

Against Pomperaug, the ‘Hawks – led by Anderson and Josh Rouse, who were almost unchallenged throughout the game – were so strong in the middle and the Panthers were so undersized and inexperienced the only thing that kept the ‘Hawks from scoring 100 points was common decency.

Fiscella scored a season-high 31 points while Rouse tossed in 17 and Anderson contributed 12. The ‘Hawks jumped out to a 44-22 lead at halftime and then, with an explosive third-period effort, went out on top 73-31 before finally easing up.

Nine different players scored as all 11 players eligible saw time on the floor. Devon Manfredonia ran the point in the absence of Marcus Tracy and while he did not score, he pulled down a couple of strong rebounds.

Anthony Santella chipped in with nine points, including his second three-pointer of the year, while John Oliver and Kyle Lyddy contributed six points apiece.

The ‘Hawks will host Bunnell on Friday night and then will go on the road next week for games against Foran (Tuesday) and Bethel (Thursday).

NOTE: With his 39-point effort, Fiscella moved past Randy Gunther into third on the boys’ all-time scoring list and is just eight points shy of passing Andrew Gellert for second place. He remains 142 points away from passing Steve Kordish and capturing the school record.

Newtown                         89

Pomperaug                     43

NEWTOWN (87): Anderson 6 0-0 12, Fiscella 12 6-7 31, Manfredonia 0 0-0 0, Oliver 3 0-0 6, Shimko 1 2-2 4, Rouse 5 7-10 17, Lyddy 3 0-0 6, Quinn 1 0-0 2, Santella 3 2-2 9, McLaughlin 0 0-0 0, Drummond 1 0-0 2. (TOTALS: 34 17-21 89). POMPERAUG (43): Genovese 1 0-0 2, Langrock 3 6-6 12, Piorcowski 1 0-0 2, McDonald 4 2-5 13, Rancourt 1 0-0 2, Sino 0 0-0 0, Sharkey 2 0-0 4, Moughty 0 2-2 2, Texiera 1 3-3 5, Therine 0 0-0 0, Piccolo 0 1-2 1 (TOTALS: 13 14-18 43).

New Fairfield                51

Newtown                         75

NEWTOWN (75): Anderson 3 7-10 13, Fiscella 16 6-13 39, Oliver 0 0-0 0, Shimko 4 4-5 15, Rouse 1 1-7 3, Lyddy 1 0-0 2, Quinn 0 1-2 1, Santella 0 0-0 0, McLaughlin 0 0-0 0, Drummond 0 0-0 0, Smith 1 0-0 2 (TOTALS: 26 19-37 75). NEW FAIRFIELD (51): Nabozna 1 3-4 5, Davey 1 5-6 7, Kozloewski 3 0-0 7, Simonitsch 5 1-2 11, Cuff 1 4-4 6, Gray 4 0-0 8, Cassidy 2 1-2 5, Manfredi 0 0-0 0, Chamoures 0 0-0 0, Surge 1 0-0 2 (TOTALS: 18 14-19 51).

Three-pointers: Shimko (N) 3, Fiscella (N), Kozlowski (NF).