Boys’ Basketball–

Newtown Wins Ridgefield Tourney;

Best Start In More Than A Decade

By Steve Bigham

It has been a season full of highlights for the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team…and to think they are just getting started.

The unbeaten Nighthawks knocked off Staples of Westport, 65-62, last Friday to capture the Ridgefield Holiday Tournament. It was Newtown’s second tournament title of the year, having won its own SWC Kick-Off tourney earlier in the month.

In between, Newtown also beat Pomperaug and Bethel in a pair of nonconference games to run its record to 6-0, reaffirming the fact that this team is for real.

“One game at a time,” said Coach John Quinn this week. “I am very optimistic about what we’ve done so far, but we’re being careful not to get too far ahead of ourselves. Still, I really think we’ve got something special here. I would be a bit naïve if I was to tell you I thought we would be 6-0 at this point.”

Newtown is off to its best start since Quinn arrived 12 years ago. Not blessed with a lot of size, this club relies on six seniors (all about 6 feet tall) and several role players who are all buying into what is turning into a very special brand of basketball.

Newtown beat Ridgefield December 26 in the opening round of last week’s tournament.

Newtown 65, Staples 62

The Nighthawks overcame a 39-point explosion by Andrew Oztemel to win its second tournament in less than two weeks. Tied at 51-51, the locals used a 7-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Kevin Troy led the way with 20 points, Dan Smith added 11, while tournament MVP Mike Maher tossed in 10, and PJ Cochrane added nine. Connor Collier was also key in the victory, shutting down Oztemel late in the game when it counted the most.

Jason Smith scored 10 points in the win, as well, and dished out eight assists. His play in the backcourt along with his brother Dan has been special. According to Quinn, the twins have a sixth sense for one another’s games, always in synch with not just each other, but their teammates as well.

“When you’ve got the Smith twins, you’re always in good hands,” Quinn said. “They read off one another and are so intelligent. It’s just incredible to watch.”

The twins follow in the footsteps of their brothers Andrew and Brian, who were both standout players in Quinn’s program.

Newtown 67,

Ridgefield 62

Playing the day after Christmas, Newtown used a big fourth quarter to knock off the host school. Tied at 51 at the end of the third period, Newtown took control on the back of Greg Rodden, who scored three big baskets and pulled down three big rebounds late in the game.

“Greg has really been key to our success. He’s a good defender, gets big baskets, big stops, and big rebounds for us. What he does doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it’s the kind of stuff that wins games,” Quinn said.

Maher had another big game for Newtown, scoring 14 points, including three 3-pointers. Dan Smith added 11, while Cochrane and Rodden each pulled down eight rebounds.

Quinn also credited the play of sophomore George Zaruba, who scored four points and gave Newtown “big minutes.”

Newtown led by nine at halftime, but struggled in the third quarter, giving up the lead. Still, Quinn said he felt confident that his confident and under-control club would come through.

Newtown 63, Bethel 54

In front of a big home crowd, the Nighthawks rallied from a sluggish third quarter to put away a solid Bethel team December 21. In the fourth quarter, Maher, Cochrane, and Rodden each hit big three-pointers and the team was a collective 9-for-10 from the foul line for the win.

Maher was the team’s top scorer with 16 points, while Troy — back from an ankle injury — added 14. Cochrane had eight rebounds and Jason Smith added six assists.

Quinn credited the defensive job by Dan Smith, who neutralized Bethel’s talented guards.

At halftime, former NHS athlete Marcus Tracy was honored for his starring role in helping the Wake Forest men’s soccer team with the NCAA Division I national title a few days earlier. Tracy then sat down at a table to sign autographs and the line was reportedly out the door.

Newtown 69,

Pomperaug 64

The Nighthawks erupted for 15 points in overtime as they beat a talented Southbury team at home. The locals had a chance to win the game in regulation, but its final two shots rolled around the rim and fell out.

“These guys didn’t get down and think they blew their chance or feel sorry for themselves that they didn’t get the foul call. They stayed the course and pulled it out in overtime. That’s the sign of a special team,” Quinn said.

Maher had a monster game, scoring 26 points (four 3-pointers). Six of his points came in the decisive overtime period. Cochrane, who tallied 16 for the game, scored five in OT. He also pulled down eight rebounds. Jason Smith had six assists.

Jake DeVellis came off the bench to score 11 points, seven of which came in the second quarter when Newtown’s starters were plagued with foul trouble.

“I had to play some of the younger guys and they helped us not only maintain the lead, but actually built on it,” Quinn said.

Also playing well during that key second-quarter span were Daniel Quinn, Connor Collier, and Curt Nazewicz, the team’s future starting point guard.