By Kim J. Harmon

MONROE – If the game had ended with a win, the fourth-quarter performance by Ally Gellert would have stood out like blazing neon on a darkened street.

But since it was a loss – and the first of the season at that – her 11-point effort which just about single-handedly resurrected the Lady Nighthawks’ fading hopes against Masuk in the finals of the annual Masuk Holiday Tournament would be all but overlooked.

With her team down by 19 points in the earlier stages of the fourth quarter, Gellert went on a unanswered nine-point tear (two points on the fast break, another two on a pull-up jumper, two more off a steal by Jessica Oswald, and three more on a spot up bomb from beyond the arc) that brought the ‘Hawks to within 10 with more than three minutes to go.

Gellert later canned another two point basket for finish with 11 for the quarter.

“We were down,” Gellert said, “everyone’s heads were down low, and I just tried to do something to help the team.”

The effort did not result in a win for the ‘Hawks but it – along with her 10-point game in an opening round win against Joel Barlow – did get Gellert nominated to the Masuk Holiday All-Tournament Team along with teammate Jayme Beckham.

So, there was that to lean on.

Although, for a team that truly believed it would win, it’s not enough.

“I think we went out a little overconfident,” said Kate Ryan. “Never being in a position where we were down early, I think we got flustered and Masuk showed us where it’s at. We pulled it together, but too late.”

But the loss (by a final count of 49-41) was still a tough one to swallow for the ‘Hawks, who can shake their heads and point to some spotty first quarter defense and almost inexplicable shooting problems that led to their demise.

“I don’t think the youth (of the team) had that much effect,” said Gellert, “because we all had some varsity experience last year. I just think we weren’t real focussed on the game and we kind of took (Masuk) for granted.”

The Pantherettes made the ‘Hawks pay for that right away, jumping out to a 14-4 lead thanks to some solid shooting and a couple three-point bombs from Katie Reynolds. Newtown shot very poorly in the quarter and were down 16-8 when it ended.

Things did not get any better in the second. In fact, things got worse.

The Pantherettes went off on 10-2 run to start the second quarter to take a humbling 16-point advantage. It was then that the Lady Nighthawks began to make a comeback – if ever so slight. Beckham and Lauren Adamek both hit free throws and then both added field goals down low as the ‘Hawks outscored the Pantherettes 7-3 to end the half.

The momentum stayed with the ‘Hawks into the early stages of the third period. Gellert put back a missed shot to start things off and soon after Ryan drained a three-point basket that trimmed the Masuk lead to single digits, 31-23.

But the momentum quickly swung to the other side of the court. The Pantherettes went on a 7-1 run to close out the third period and extend their lead back up to a more comfortable 14 points, 38-24, and then pushed that lead up to 19 points with a 7-2 run to start the fourth quarter.

It was all but over.

Then Gellert made her push, scoring nine points in a row to shave the Masuk lead back down to 10, 45-35. When Masuk later went back up by 11, Gellert scored again to bring the lead back down to single digits and Ryan canned the final field goal of the game to give Masuk its’ 49-41 margin of victory.

The Newtown defense played about as well as it could in the face of a well-schooled, well-prepared team. No, the Lady Nighthawks’ shortcomings against Masuk occurred on the offensive end of the floor – in the shooting touch that inexplicably deserted them when they needed it the most.

But the ‘Hawks showed on Tuesday night that there were no ill effects left over from the loss to Masuk. They exploded for 23 first-quarter points and cruised to a 65-48 win over a solid Pomperaug team that came into the game with a 5-2 record.

The ‘Hawks were well in control of the game, but needed the 23-9 cushion they gave themselves in the first quarter because the Lady Panthers made a bit of a push in the second quarter, trimming the Newtown lead down to 11. But a solid third-quarter effort put the ‘Hawks back up by 17 points and on cruise control.

Beckham led the way with 16 points while Gellert chipped in with 12. Lori Iwanicki and Morgan Haines each added a solid nine-point effort with Haines collecting her first three-point field goal of the game.

Lisa Masella, who is doing a remarkeable job filling in for the injured Amanda Marsilio, suffered a knee injury herself during the game. As of Wednesday, coach Simon said she was day-to-day and will in all likelihood sit out the game on Friday with Stratford.

But coach Simon said she is expected to be able to practice hard on_Monday in preparation for a Tuesday battle with New Fairfield.

NEWTOWN     8    9    7    17 - 41

MASUK        18   13    9    11 - 49

NEWTOWN (41): Beckham 4 3-6 11, Ryan 4 0-0 9, Masella 1 0-0 2, Gellert 6 0-0 13, Haines 0 1-2 1, Iwanicki 0 0-0 0, Adamek 1 2-3 4, Oswald 0 1-3 1, Bell 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 7-14 41.

MASUK (49): DelMedico 2 1-2 5, McDermott 2 0-1 4, Reynolds 4 3-6 14, Antonozzi 0 0-0 0, Fico 0 0-0 0, Martinik 3 2-3 8, Moyse 6 3-4 15, Dwyer 0 0-0 0, Steffens 0 0-0 0, Larrow 1 1-2 3. Totals: 18 10-18 49.

Three-pointers: Reynolds (M) 3, Ryan (N), Gellert (N).

 

POMPERAUG   9   13  11    15 - 48

NEWTOWN    23   10  17    15 - 65

POMPERAUG (48): Baker 8 3-4 22, Howard 0 0-0 0, Colasanto 3 0-2 6, Pickman 1 0-0 2, Samuelson 0 0-2 0, Gillette 3 2-3 8, Orrico 0 0-0 0, Yestrumskas 1 1-4 3, Roach 2 3-4 7. Totals: 18 9-19 48.

NEWTOWN (65): Beckham 7 2-4 16, Ryan 3 0-1 6, Masella 0 4-4 4, Gellert 5 1-2 12, Haines 2 4-6 9, Iwanicki 2 5-6 9, Adamek 1 1-4 3, Bell 1 0-1 2, Oswald 2 0-1 4. Totals: 23 17-29 65.

Three-pointers: Baker (P) 3, Gellert (N), Haines (N).

 

Junior Varsity

After a season-opening loss to Danbury, the jayvee ‘Hawks have won two.

In the 46-26 loss to Danbury, Shannon_Kohn scored nine points and Erin Saunders added six with eight rebounds. Caitlin_Martin and Jessica Phillips chipped in with five points apiece while Phillips also pulling down eight rebounds and blocking four shots.

Monica Zigman also played well.

Coach Cynthia Klebon said the team’s lack of awareness on the floor - especially on defense - was the deciding factor.

In a 32-30 win over Joel_Barlow, the ‘Hawks recovered from a slow first half and came back from 12 points down to record the victory. An adjustment to the defense was the key.

Kohn, who has the ability to break pressure and attack the basket, led the team with a game-high 15 points and added five rebounds and three steals along the way.

Phillips tossed in eight points and pulled down six boards. Zigman grabbed five boards.

In a much easier 48-18 win over Weston, tghe ‘Hawks still have to overcome some shaky play.

Phillips and Saunders tossed in 12 points apiece, with Phillips also coming up with nine rebounds and three steals.

Kohn tossed in 10 points of her own, was strong off the glass, and made off with three steals. Christine Manfredonia had six points and three steals to help the cause.

Zigman and Martin had solid games as well, with_Martin grabbing five steals and dishing off a pair of assists.

Monica Cluff, up from the freshman team, grabbed a rebound and had three steals as everyone contributed to the victory.