By Kim J. Harmon

Everything seems all right with the world now that the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team – thanks to a three-game winning streak – appears on the brink of having more wins than losses for the first time in the 2004-05 season.

And with the wrestlers pulling off a big win over archrival Pomperaug this week (the matmen are off to a 3-0 start) the stage has been set for an exciting run right through the (sled) dog days of winter.

But things are not all well in the Hawks nest as the boys’ basketball team is still looking for its first win; the swimmers fall to powerhouse Pomperaug; and the skaters fall to 4-3-0 with another loss to New Milford.

There are lots of things to watch out for in the coming weeks so keep those eyes open.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Newtown 61, McMahon 25

Newtown 32, Masuk 31

Newtown 50, Immaculate 30

It was almost a culture shock seeing the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team sitting at 1-4 overall after five games.

Come on – a 1-4 record? The Lady Nighthawks only lost five games all of last year and only lost four games in each of the previous two years and yet through the first five games of the 2004-05 season they were 1-4 and near the bottom of the South-West Conference.

But in the space of a week, that has all changed.

The ‘Hawks defeated Brien McMahon (61-25) and Masuk (32-31) in the 23rd annual Masuk Holiday Tournament then added a regular-season win over previously undefeated Immaculate (50-30) to even out their record at 4-4.

The wins over Masuk and Immaculate are the clearest signs that the ‘Hawks may have turned the corner.

Against Masuk, Ashley LaRocque – named the Most Valuable Player in the tournament – popped in a free throw with 14 seconds left to give the ‘Hawks enough cushion to survive. Barb Bria of Masuk had an opportunity to force overtime with 1.6 seconds left, but could only hit one of two free throws.

It was Newtown’s first win over Masuk in eight tries (including a 47-42 loss to the Pantherettes in the South-West Conference championship game last February).

The locals were facing a 13-4 deficit early in the second quarter before putting together a 15-0 run that staked them to a 19-13 lead at the half. The two teams were knotted at 28-28 with a little more than three minutes left, but LaRocque stepped in the final stages of the game with a layup and two free throws.

Meghan Kelley led all scorers with 11 points while LaRocque chipped in with seven. Ciara Simek canned five points and – with her strong defensive work – earned a spot on the All-Tournament team with Kelley and LaRocque.

Even better than that win over arch-rival Masuk was the win on Monday night over previously-undefeated Immaculate. Kelley scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while LaRocque chipped in with 16 points to pave the way to the easy win.

The ‘Hawks took an early 15-4 lead on the undermanned Lady Mustangs (who were without their star center, Nikki Weiss) and maintained that 11-point lead through the first half. But the locals continued to put the offensive pressure on the Mustangs and pulled away in the second half.

The win that got it all started was the 61-25 rout of Brien McMahon in the first round of the Masuk Holiday Tournament – a predictable win that, given the relative weakness of the opponent, allowed head coach Shawn O’Brien was able to give his younger bench players more of an opportunity to play.

Carly Curran led all scorers with 12 points as the ‘Hawks jumped out to a 14-point lead at the end of the first period and 24-point lead at the end of the first half. Ten different players scored, with Kelley canning eight and Katie O’Connor, LaRocque, Christie Iwanicki and Amy Kelley each chipping in with six.

The locals will host Weston on Friday night before visiting Pomperaug next Tuesday and returning home the following Friday to take on New Milford.

Newtown 61, Brien McMahon 25

BRIEN McMAHON (25): Rosie Rodriguez 0 1-2 1; Jeanette Holt 1 0-0 2; Cholanda McElveen 4 0-0 8; Meg DiMeglio 0 1-2 1; Jamesha White 0 2-3 2; Shavonne Simmons 0 0-0 0; Monissa Williams 2 0-3 4; Lizzie Dash 1 1-1 3; Gabby Dunn 1 0-2 2. TOTALS: 9 5-12 25.

NEWTOWN (61): Meghan Kelly 4 0-0 8; Darcy Fiscella 2 1-2 5; Katie O’Connor 1 4-6 6; Ashley LaRocque 3 0-2 6; Carly Curran 6 0-0 12; Ciara Simek 0 0-0 0; Siobhan Cooper 1 1-1 3; Kristie Nowak 0 0-0 0; Christie Iwanicki 3 0-0 6; Kacey Foehrenbach 2 0-1 5; Jill Logan 2 0-0 4; Amy Kelly 3 0-1 6. TOTALS: 27 6-13 61.

Three-pointers: Kacy Foehrenbach (N).

Newtown 32, Masuk 31

NEWTOWN (32): Ciara Simek 2-1-2 5, Carly Curran 1 0-1 2, Christie Iwanicki 0 0-0 0, Kristi Nowak 1 1-2 3, Ashley LaRocque 3 1-3 7, Meghan Kelley 4 3-4 11, Siobhan Cooper 1 0-1 2, Katie O’Connor 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 13 6-13 32.

MASUK (31): Jessica Kramer 2 0-0 4, Katie Stock 2 0-0 5, Melissa Allen 0 2-2 2, Alexis Bates 2 0-0 4, Kelsey Johnson 0 0-0 0, Barb Bria 5 1-3 11, Kellye Caufield 0 0-0 0, Amy Corchard 2 1-4 5. TOTALS: 13 4-9 31.

Three-pointers: Katie Stock (M).

Newtown 50, Immaculate 30

NEWTOWN (50): Ciara Simek 0 1-2 1, Carly Curran 3 0-0 6, Christie Iwanicki 1 0-0 2, Kristi Nowak 0 0-2 0, Ashley LaRocque 8 0-2 16, Meghan Kelley 8 2-5 19, Siobhan Cooper 2 0-0 4, Kacy Foehrenbach 1 0-0 2, Amy Kelley 0 0-0 0, Katie O’Connor 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 23 3-11 50.

IMMACULATE (30): Emily Grimes 2 3-4 7, Kristina Haliskoe 0 0-0 0, Lindsay Brown 3 3-6 9, Maggie Farrell 1 6-8 8, Lauren Mackay 1 0-0 2, Ashley Ward 2 0-2 4, Erica Evuen 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 9 12-20 30.

Three-pointers: Meghan Kelley (N).

WRESTLING

Newtown 51, Pomperaug 27

After registering a couple of easy wins to open the 2004-05 season, the Newtown High School wrestling team – and head coach Al Potter – was expecting a much tougher test against South-West Conference rival Pomperaug on Wednesday, December 29.

The test must have been open book because the Nighthawks improved to 3-0 with a 51-27 win over the Panthers under the lights last Wednesday morning.

With the match knotted at 27-27, Newtown’s Skye Perry pushed the Nighthawks in the right direction by pinning Shaun Dunn in 2:18 of the 160-pound division. Then at 171 pounds, Bob Pattison rallied back from an early, 5-0, deficit to slap a pin in 2:41 on Banon Jacobs to put the ‘Hawks ahead, 39-27.

With two weight classes left, the Panthers were out of options and allowed Bryant Aliaga (189 pounds) and Alex Read (215 pounds) to claim forfeit wins to seal the match.

Things started out pretty well for the ‘Hawks when Brandon Thomas was bumped up at the last second to wrestle Alex Krizan at 275 pounds and then secured a 19-2 technical fall. But after Kim Solheim (103) and Mark Bonamici (112) were pinned, the ‘Hawks were facing a 12-5 deficit.

Jeff Lipnick (119) pulled the ‘Hawks to within one point with a pin in 2:48 of Matt Sullivan, but then Mike Rambone (125) was pinned by Dave Mack in 3:25 and the ‘Hawks were back in a seven-point deficit.

After Steve Giacolone (130) earned an injury default over Chase Verzello, Kevin Wasicki (135) pinned James Elliott in 1:36 and Colin O’Connor (140) pulled off an 11-2 major decision over Steve Verzello, the ‘Hawks were comfortably ahead, 27-18.

But then Justin Bass (145) saw a one-point lead disappear in the final eight seconds of his bout with Nick Annetta while Ryan Peters (152) was pinned by Mike Callecca in 2:50 and all of a sudden the match was tied up at 27-27.

Perry changed the momentum, though, and the ‘Hawks were on their way to their third win.

The following day, the locals participated in the annual Danbury Tournament but were up against some tough competition from Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York and finished 10th overall among 17 teams. No one made it to their respective championship finals.

The ‘Hawks returned to the mat on Wednesday night in Stratford and will be at the Spartan Duels at Maloney High School in Meriden on Saturday. The locals will host Bethel next Wednesday at Newtown High School.

Newtown 51, Pomperaug 27

275: Brandon Thomas (N) tech. fall Alex Krizan, 19-2; 103: Andrew Panetta (P) pinned Kim Solheim, :30; 112: Shawn McKenna (P) pinned Mark Bonamici, 1:53; 119: Jeff Lipnick (N) pinned Matt Sullivan, 2:48; 125: Dave Mack (P) pinned Mike Rambone, 3:25; 130: Steve Giacolone (N) by injury default Chase Verzello; 135: Kevin Wasicki (N) pinned James Elliot; 1:36; 140: Colin O’Connor (N) major dec. Steve Verzello; 11-2; 145: Nick Annetta (P) dec. Justin Bass, 5-4; 152: Mike Callecca (P) pinned Ryan Peters, 2:50; 160: Skye Perry (N) pinned Shaun Dunn, 2:18; 171: Bobby Pattison (N) pinned Banon Jacobs, 2:51; 189: Bryant Aliaga (N) by forfeit; 215: Alex Read (N) by forfeit.

Danbury Tournament

Team Scores: 1. Danbury 302.5, 2. New Milford 161.5, 3. New Fairfield 129, 4. Morgan 127, 5. Southington 122, 6. Foran 101, 7. Cranston West (Rhode Island) 96, 8. North Kingston (Rhode Island) 85, 9. Hartford Public 58, 10. Newtown 58, 11. Old Saybrook 54, 12. Stamford 52.5, 13. Goshen (New York) 45.5, 14. Trinity Pawling (New York) 28, 15. Middletown (Rhode Island) 24, 16. Woodstock 14, 17. Shepaug 0.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Bunnell 45, Newtown 35

The defense was up to the task – but the offense was not and the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team left Stratford on Tuesday night still looking for its first win of the 2004-05 season.

With Marcus Easley canning 15 points, the Bulldogs pinned a 45-35 defeat on the ‘Hawks in a low-scoring, defensive struggle. Bunnell held only a 6-3 lead at the end of one period while the two teams were knotted at 15-15 at halftime.

And at the end of the third period, the ‘Dogs were only ahead by one, 24-23.

But in the fourth period – where the big shot eluded them – the ‘Hawks fell.

“We’re having a lot of trouble finishing,” said head coach John Quinn. “Within the last two minutes of the game (on Tuesday), we had five layups and couldn’t get the ball in the basket. The defense is playing as well as it can play – it really is. But I never anticipated having this much trouble scoring.”

Through the first four games, the ‘Hawks are averaging just over 43 points per game as a team and the 35-point effort on Tuesday was the lowest output of the season. Marcus Tracy led all Newtown scorers with nine points while Ryan McGrath popped in six points (on a pair of three-pointers) as Kyle Lyddy, Josh Rouse and Anthony Santella contributed five points apiece.

The ‘Hawks were without their big presence in the middle, Brennan Coakley, who had to sit the non-league game out with some arm trouble. And at press time, the status of Lyddy – Newtown’s second-leading scorer – was unclear as the senior co-captain was slated to see a doctor about a possible rotator cuff problem.

“I think we’ll be okay,” said coach Quinn, “but it has been a very rocky start.”

The ‘Hawks opened with a 14-point loss to Bridgeport Central and then fell to Ridgefield in the opening round of the Weston Christmas Classic before dropping another one to Staples of Westport in the Classic consolation game.

The ‘Hawks will open their South-West Conference schedule on Friday, but that game is against Weston.

“The schedule has just been a killer,” said coach Quinn. “We have talent on this team, but we just have gotten there yet.”

The locals will host Pomperaug on Tuesday before traveling to New Milford next Friday.

Bunnell 45, Newtown 35

NEWTOWN (35): Kyle Lyddy 2 0-0 5; Josh Rouse 1 3-4 5; Anthony Santella 2 1-2 5; Marcus Tracy 4 0-2 9; Joey DeVellis 1 0-0 3; Ryan McGrath 2 0-0 6; Kevin Quinn 0 0-0 0; Kevin Troy 0 2-2 2. TOTALS: 12 6-10 35

BUNNELL (43): Marcus Easley 6 1-3 15; Matt Woticki 1 2-2 4; John Davis 7 3-10 17; Donald Peeler 3 1-2 7; James Jordan 0 0-0 0; Danny Paolini 0 0-0 0; Matt Carey 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17 7-18 43.

Three-pointers: Marcus Easley (B) 2, Ryan McGrath (N) 2; Kyle Lyddy (N); Marcus Tracy (N); Joe DeVellis (N).

SWIMMING

Pomperaug 99, Newtown 84

Easy wins over Masuk and New Milford were a nice way for the Newtown High School swim team to start the 2004-05 season, but those wins did not have the Nighthawks wondering if a miracle would happen on January 4.

That was when the ‘Hawks hosted perennial powerhouse and archrival Pomperaug … and that was when the ‘Hawks suffered their first loss of the season, taking the Panthers to the final event before succumbing, 99-84.

“I’m very excited about our second and third swimmers in these events,” said head coach Matt Childs. “Their times are where we need to be there to be able to swim with the top tier teams in the SWC.”

It was the 200 medley relay foursome of Anthony Fiore, Jake Maher, Andrew Heller and Chris Jacob that finished first and staked Newtown to an early 8-6 lead. But even though those second and third guys for the ‘Hawks were posting solid times, the Panthers were so strong up front that it almost didn’t matter.

Stefan Toi swam a 2:01.44 in the 200 freestyle, which is only 11 seconds off the school record but almost a full half-minute behind first-place winner Tony Bruno. Then Jacob swam a 24.16 in the 50 freestyle and 53.63 in the 100 freestyle and finished second both times. Even Max Barrett swam a solid 55.47 in the 100 free, but it was only good for fifth place.

The Panthers went 1-2 in the 200 freestyle to take the lead and then went 1-3 in the 200 individual medley, 1-3 in the 50 freestyle, 1-3 in diving, 2-3 in the 100 butterfly, and 1-2-3 in the 500 freestyle to stake a large enough lead to hold the Nighthawks off.

Andrew Heller was a double winner for the ‘Hawks, grabbing first in the 200 individual medley (2:10.90) and 100 butterfly (56.91) while Anthony Fiore was first in the 100 backstroke (1:01.09) and Jake Maher was first in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.03).

Bryan Lacouture was second in diving (172.25 points, just 1.45 points off first) while Toi was second in the 100 backstroke (1:10.86).

“Pomperaug came in here with a big team and this is the first big meet for a lot of these guys,” said coach Childs, “but I was pleased. It’s a process and we’re right in the middle of it.”

The ‘Hawks will travel to Washington on Friday to take on Shepaug Valley and will return home on Tuesday to host Bethel.

Pomperaug 99, Newtown 84

200 medley relay – 1. Newtown (Anthony Fiore, Jake Maher, Andrew Heller, Chris Jacob) 1:48.14; 2. Pomperaug 1:57.35; 3. Pomperaug 1:57.38. 200 freestyle – 1. Tony Bruno (P) 1:34.23; 2. Don Theleen (P) 1:58.27; 3. Stephen Toi (N) 2:01.44; 5. Anthony Fiore (N) 2:07.12. 200 individual medley – 1. Andrew Heller (N) 2:10.90; 2. Andrew Shand (P) 2:16.38; 3. Jimmy Widman (P) 2:20.41; 4. Jake Maher (N) 2:22.63. 50 freestyle – 1. Travis McNamara (P) 23.17; 2. Chris Jacob (N) 24.16; 3. Matt Atkinson (P) 24.98; 4. Max Barrett (N) 25.10. Diving – 1. John Andrews (P) 173.70; 2. Bryan Lacouture (N) 172.25; 3. Michelle Mayer (P) 135.85. 100 butterfly – 1. Heller (N) 56.91; 2. McNamara (P) 57.67; 3. Theleen (P) 1:02.24; 4. Dave LaMarche (N) 1:05.05. 100 freestyle – 1. Bruno (P) 51.00; 2. Jacob (N) 53.63; 3. George Strobel (P) 54.09; 5. Max Barrett (N) 55.47. 500 freestyle – 1. Shand (P) 5:25.09; 2. Jack Strobel (P) 5:42.03; 3. Joe Paperio (P) 5:56.93; 4. PJ O’Dell (N) 6:11.58; 5. Scott Whalley (N) 6:13.60. 200 freestyle relay – 1. Pomperaug (Eric Gallagher, McNamara, Tom Shea, Bruno) 1:36.26; 2. Newtown 1:40.11; 3. Pomperaug 1:40.26. 100 backstroke – 1. Fiore (N) 1:01.09; 2. Thereen (P) 1:05.80; 3. G. Strobel (P) 1:08.86; 5. Mike Parker (N) 1:09.32. 100 breaststroke – 1. Jake Maher (N) 1:08.03; 2. Stefan Toi 1:10.86 (N) 1;18.57; 3. Dave Shupak (P) 1:18.41. 400 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (LaMarche, Max Barrett, Fiore, Toi) 3:54.05; 2. Newtown 4:06.81.

Note: Pomperaug swam the final event unofficially.

HOCKEY

New Milford 3, Newtown 1

After falling to New Milford, 4-2, back on December 22 the Newtown High School hockey team had a week to try and figure out a way to beat their South-West Conference foes since the return engagement was slated for December 29.

A week was not enough time.

Marshall Gravely and Tyler Gravely scored a goal apiece (while assisting on each other’s goal) to lead the Green Wave to a 3-1 win over the Nighthawks – dropping the locals to 4-3-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the South-West Conference.

Marshall Gravely opened the scoring at the Canterbury Rink in the first period to stake New Milford to a 1-0 lead and a second-period goal by Kevin Crossen put the Green Wave ahead, 2-0. But Corey Regensburger pulled the ‘Hawks to within a goal when he scored off a feed from Blaise LaPorta.

Tyler Gravely added the insurance goal later in the period.

Newtown goaltender Peter Oggeri made 35 saves in the pipes as the ‘Hawks were outshot, 38-13.

The ‘Hawks hosted Division I Milford at the Danbury Ice Rink on Wednesday (after press time) and will host Division I Immaculate on Saturday (puck drops at 4:30 pm). The locals will be back on the ice the following Saturday, hosting Joel Barlow (puck drops at 3:50 pm).

New Milford 3, Newtown 1

GOALS: New Milford – Marshall Gravely, Tyler Gravely, Kevin Crossen; Newtown – Corey Regensburger. ASSISTS: New Milford - Tyler Gravely, Marshall Gravely, Ryan Kaiser; Newtown – Blaise LaPorta. SHOTS: New Milford – 38; Newtown – 13. SAVES: New Milford – Nick Longobardi 12; Newtown – Peter Oggeri 35.