Newtown High School’s turnover-causing defense and Sam Diaspro’s 32 points combined to carry the Nighthawks past Norwich Free Academy 53-30 in girls’ basketball action on December 20. Ana Morris, Addy Cordova, Madi Weston, Kendal Khazadian, and Diaspro each had two steals, and Newtown’s pressuring defense caused throwaways and clock violations throughout the afternoon. Weston led the Nighthawks with seven rebounds. NHS improved to 2-1 on the young season.

“I loved our defensive effort today. I think defensively we were locked in,” Nighthawk Coach Jeremy O’Connell said. “We’re starting to understand our offense is predicated by our defense.”

Diaspro scored 14 points in the opening quarter, including a buzzer-beating three from five-plus feet beyond the three-point line, giving the Hawks a commanding 20-9 lead after one quarter. The Hawks’ bread and butter — points off turnovers — accounted for six in succession in the second as a pair of steals by Khazadian led to hoops by Morris and Macey Arcario, and a theft and finish by Morris capped a 15-0 run. NHS went ahead 30-13 at the half.

Morris finished with ten points, all in the first half, Arcario had six points, Addy Cordova four, Khazadian and Weston two. Diaspro was unstoppable from all over the court. She was even a 3-point threat from the free throw line, hitting a trio of foul shots after being fouled attempting a 3-pointer.

NFA hit three early 3-pointers but cooled off from downtown as the Hawk defense stuck with its game plan and limited its opponent to a dozen points in the second and third quarters combined. NHS was comfortably in front, 41-21, through three quarters of play.

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