Every new season brings with it some change, from player experience to the competitors themselves. On the girls’ basketball hardwood a notable difference this year won’t be noticed until late in the winter. The state is switching around its divisional breakdown, moving from class sizes to five divisions; Newtown High is in D II, which includes 38 schools.

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Board of Control approved the committee placing schools in five divisions using a series of factors, including enrollment, success in CIAC tournament play, strength of the league, and power points for each team (determined by the sum of wins of defeated opponent — one point for each of their wins). All Division I schools will automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament, and Divisions II-V must win 30% of their games to qualify.

NHS will look to be among the contenders in the South-West Conference Tournament and then see how far they can go come state playoff time.

“We are hoping to compete in the SWC and make a run to the finals,” said Newtown Coach Jeremy O’Connell, adding that Notre Dame Prep of Fairfield, Masuk of Monroe, and Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport are the top teams standing in the Nighthawks’ way this year.

“The state tournament is interesting this year because of the new division setup. I am honestly not sure how to feel about it as of yet,” O’Connell said.

Captains to lead the way are guards Samantha Diaspro and Kendal Khazadian and forwards Macey Arcario and Addy Cordova. Diaspro, one of the best players in the conference last year, was an All-State selection; she broke the team’s single-game 3-point record, knocking down seven shots from behind the arc last December.

Other key pieces in place include centers Madi Weston and Lyla Kopp; guards Ana Morris, Leah Morris, and Elise Ansman; and guard/forward Deirdre McCleary.

As always, O’Connell’s lineup will look to feed off its defense and look to score in transition while wearing out the opposition.

“Defense will be our strength and hoping that can lead to easy offense for us,” the coach said.

The season tips off Friday, December 12 at Bassick of Bridgeport at 5:30 pm. On Monday, December 15, Stamford visits at 6:30 pm for the first of three straight scheduled home matchups. Wilby of Waterbury visits Wednesday, December 17 at 6:30 and Norwich Free Academy comes to town Saturday, December 20 at 1 pm as part of the 15 For Life mental awareness and fundraiser day of games.

After Newtown ventures to East Lyme to close out the calendar year on Monday, December 29 at 2:30 pm, the Hawks play their first conference game as Stratford visits Monday, January 5 at 6 pm.

“I always love the start of the season — the excitement of where this team can get to,” O’Connell said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.