The Newtown High School boys' basketball team made a huge jump in the 2006-07 season, improving from 4-16 to 11-9 and the future looks even brighter - especially considering that the junior varsity program just completed an undefeated 20-0 campai

By KIM HARMON

Published: Mar 02, 2007 12:00 am

The Newtown High School boysâ basketball team made a huge jump in the 2006-07 season, improving from 4-16 to 11-9 and the future looks even brighter â especially considering that the junior varsity program just completed an undefeated 20-0 campaign.

âIt is not easy to go 20 games without having an off night somewhere along the way,â said coach Jason Arnauckas. âThis was a true team in a sense where everyone had a role and they knew what it was and played it perfectly. Without the unselfishness and âteamâ mentality that these 11 kids displayed, an undefeated season would not be possible. It is a credit to their work ethic, desire and determination that they have achieved this success.â

Sophomore Jake DeVellis â who saw a lot of time on the varsity floor â led the jayvees with a 17.3 points-per-game average while Mike Maher scored at a 12.6 clip.

And Jason Smith was the leader and perhaps best all-around player on the team as the Nighthawks out-scored their opponents by 19.4 points a game.

How dominating was the Nighthawksâ performance in â07? Only three of the 20 games were decided by nine points or fewer.

Team members included Eric Dreher, PJ Cochrane, Greg Rodden, Kurt Nacewicz, Ricky Gallucci, Daniel Quinn, Connor Collier, George Zaruba, Jason Smith, Jake DeVellis and Mike Maher.

A rundown of the season â

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 59

MasukÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 50

Leading scorers â Nacewicz (18), DeVellis (17), Maher (13).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 68

Kaynor TechÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 31

Leading scorers â Zaruba (11), Maher (10).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 61

BunnellÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 46

Leading scorers â DeVellis (23), Dreher (17).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 65

BethelÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 52

Leading scorers â DeVellis (35).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 79

RidgefieldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 54

Leading scorers â DeVellis (23), Maher (17).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 67

StaplesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 66

Leading scorers â Maher (21), DeVellis (19). NOTE â Maher earned a defensive five-second call, forcing Staples to turn the ball over in the final seconds to secure the win.

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 68

New FairfieldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 45

Leading scorers â DeVellis (14), Maher (14), Quinn (10).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 51

Joel BarlowÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 42

Leading scorers â DeVellis (15), Maher (12).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 60

New FairfieldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 50

Leading scorers â DeVellis (17), Smith (9).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 63

BethelÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 46

Leading scorers â DeVellis (14), Maher (13).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 83

New MilfordÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 46

Leading scorers â DeVellis (23), Smith (15). NOTE â New Milford had a slim 33-32 lead at halftime, but the Nighthawks out-scored the Wave by 30 points in the second half, 51-21, to run away with the win.

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 59

MasukÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 48

Leading scorers â DeVellis (14), Maher (13).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 69

PomperaugÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 59

Leading scorers â DeVellis (29), Maher (13), Cochrane (12). Note â Pomperaug was undefeated heading into the game.

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 62

BrookfieldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28

Leading scorers â DeVellis (18), Maher (17).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 62

WestonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 33

Leading scorers â DeVellis (16), Maher (12).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 56

StratfordÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 37

Leading scorers â Maher (13).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 63

ImmaculateÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 41

Leading scorers â Rodden (15), Maher (15). NOTE â Immaculate had just one loss (to Pomperaug) heading into the game.

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 66

Notre DameÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 39

Leading scorers â DeVellis (14).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 69

Kolbe CathedralÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 49

Leading scorers â Maher (15), Cochrane (14), DeVellis (13).

NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 72

BunnellÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 44

Leading scorers â Maher (17), DeVellis (15). NOTE â Collier notched his first-ever dunk.

The Voters Chose Newtown

The Plastic Problem

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Elizabeth Annett (July 31, 1943-April 26, 2025)

Making America: The Story Of An Immigrant

Snapshot: Andy Ashla

The voters certainly spoke — and I respect the outcome — but let’s not forget that a “majority” doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Many of us are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living here. Supporting schools and services is important, but so is ensuring that residents can afford to stay in the town they love. We all want Newtown to be a great place to live, but lately, it’s starting to feel less like “Nicer in Newtown” and more like “More Expensive in Newtown.” That’s not sustainable, and it’s not a criticism of the town itself — it’s a call for responsible budgeting and long-term planning that doesn’t rely on tax increases year after year. I hope future decisions will reflect not just the desire to maintain services, but also the need to ease the financial burden on residents.

Budget, Capital Projects Pass: Officials Respond

I appreciate the passion behind this message, and I absolutely understand the desire to invest in our town. That said, I voted no — not because I don't care about Newtown, but because I do. Fiscal responsibility is not about ignoring problems, it’s about making sure we address them in a sustainable and transparent way. It’s frustrating to feel like every year there’s a new “urgent” reason to raise taxes, with little serious effort to curb spending or prioritize needs. I worry this just sets the stage for another round of increases next year. That doesn't mean I’m against education, safety, or our town’s future — it means I believe in accountability and in asking tough questions about how our money is managed. Voting no wasn't a rejection of Newtown — it was a call for more thoughtful, balanced leadership. I hope future conversations can include all perspectives, not just those willing to write a bigger check.

The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."

Great effort by the those who attended to shine a light on the attacks on Democracy. Thanks for the article so all can understand whats happening.

Hundreds Attend ‘Rock This Democracy’ Rally

Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

Discusses Role As Registrar

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The Newtown High School boys' basketball team made a huge jump in the 2006-07 season, improving from 4-16 to 11-9 and the future looks even brighter - especially considering that the junior varsity program just completed an undefeated 20-0 campai

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