By Steve Bigham

Newtown High School’s three boys’ basketball teams held their annual banquet last Sunday at Robert’s Restaurant in Monroe. It was a time to celebrate another successful hoop season in town.

In addition to the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen teams, both the markettes and cheerleaders were on hand for the event.

The afternoon event began with an invocation from Randy Walker, principal’s remarks from Bill Manfredonia and an introduction from Rich Engel, Sr. Then, senior captains Rich Engel and Jason Godoy presented cheerleaders and Markettes with flowers. Markettes captain Jessica Clark introduced her team, while Carela Catigano and Courtney MacRae introduced the cheerleaders.

Following a buffet dinner, freshmen boys’ basketball coaches John Hull and Phil Cruz introduced each of their players and congratulated them for a fine 15-3 season. Hull and Cruz are 30-4 over the past two seasons.

Junior varsity coach Jason Arnauckas credited his squad for nearly running the table after starting the season 0-4. Arnauckas said his players won using a hard-nosed brand of basketball, which included tooth-rattling screens, hard-nosed defense and an unselfish brand of basketball that became contagious. Point guard Dan Murphy was credited with being the glue on the team.

The banquet’s grand finale was Coach John Quinn’s introduction of the varsity players, who recently completed a season that saw them qualify for both the league and state playoffs. Quinn admitted to getting somewhat emotional as he talked about seniors Jason Godoy, Courtney Steele, Rich Engel, Bret McEvoy and Glen Stiewing.

Coach Quinn reminisced about some of the brighter moments during the season and thanked this year’s team for laying the foundation for future success. The future of the boys’ basketball program in Newtown looks very promising as several talented players move up the ranks.

Quinn also introduced his tri-captains for next season: juniors John Fiscella, Andrew Smith and Jeff Wolcott.

Steele was named to the all-South-West Conference team this year, while Fiscella was named to the all-division team. Godoy and Engel both received honorable mention.

McEvoy, ranked fourth in his class, was named to the all-state scholar athlete team – an honor bestowed upon just six Connecticut high school students each year.

For the second-straight year, Godoy won The Newtown Bee’s foul shooting award after shooting 86 percent from the line.

The players all received team photos and a thick blue book which included press clippings from a season gone by.