Don’t get caught celebrating your basket when you do score against the Nighthawks.

Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team might just answer with a hoop at the other end before opposing team member’s high-fives are complete.

The Hawks, per the usual, will look to push the tempo and run the floor with regularity — something made possible by their ultra-deep roster — as they tip off another season on the hardwood.

“We’re athletic, and we’re deep, and the best part about it is the kids are all in,” said Newtown Coach Jeremy O’Connell, whose teams are known for playing high-pressure, often full-court defense and high octane offense.

With this approach comes a need for players to come off the bench and give teammates breathers, so there will be ample playing time for many. Hard work and performance will result in starting roles and more substantial playing time. In 25 games last year, the Hawks had 14 different starting lineups and a similar juggling act based on how players perform in game preparations as well as games themselves, will be implemented, O’Connell said.

“It’s up to them to make the most of it in practice and when they get into games,” the coach said.

Senior captains are Carolina Stubbs (center), Jackie Matthews (forward), Cailin Wilson (guard), and Nicki DaPra (forward).

Juniors are Amy Saptenter, Cyleigh Wilson, Carlie Smith, Rebecca Alicea, and Juliette Cryder. Sophomores are Shea Murphy, Emma Magazu, Sarah Nowacki, and Julia Gerace.

Newtown will have three-point shooting prowess from throughout its lineup the coach said.

O’Connell will look for intra-team competition to result and raise the overall level of play. Newtown will also stand to get plenty of high-level tests from the opposition. The South-West Conference boasts some strong teams at the top, O’Connell said, including defending champion Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport, last year’s runner-up Notre Dame-Fairfield, 2017 champ Bethel, and Pomperaug of Southbury. The Newtown coach anticipates his squad being in the mix of contenders.

There have been five different SWC champions in as many years, dating back to former SWC program Lauralton Hall of Milford capping its three-year run at the top in 2014.

The Nighthawks went 20-5 a year ago, reaching the semifinals of the South-West Conference tournament and Class LL state playoff quarterfinals.

“Our goals for this year are to take our next step and compete for the championship in the SWC and go farther in states,” O’Connell said.

Tough nonconference tests will come from FCIAC foes Danbury and St Joseph of Trumbull (the first two opponents of the regular slate; Danbury on Monday, December 10 at 5:15 pm and St Joes December 12 at 7, both in the St Joe’s gymnasium as part of a tip-off tourney). East Lyme, Carmel of New York, and Mansfield of Massachusetts (the latter of whom the Hawks will host during the late-December Threes For Charity Tournament) are other challenging teams on the slate. Most of these games take place in December with the goal to get Newtown — win or lose in these tough tests — battle-tested from the get-go with an eye on being prepared for the playoffs when they roll around.

“I’ve always thought if we can’t win eight games to qualify for the state tournament, or enough games to make the SWC tournament, we’re in trouble anyway,” O’Connell said.

The season will have challenging games throughout, including a visit to Kolbe in the second-to-last clash of the regular slate. O’Connell expects that matchup to be a great barometer for the teams heading into the playoffs.

“Our conference is always so difficult,” O’Connell said of the SWC. “You want to be playing your best basketball at the end of the season.”