Nighthawk Boys Win Tourney Consolation Game

WESTPORT — The Newtown High School boys’ basketball team rebounded from its first loss of the campaign to defeat Weston and win the consolation game of the Staples High Holiday Tournament on December 30.

The Nighthawks were held to their second-lowest point total of the season, but clamped down defensively in a 48-41 win over Weston.

“We struggled a bit offensively — scoring only 48 points — but you win games playing defense,” NHS Assistant Coach Kyle Lyddy said. “It was good to win this after a loss. They played well.”

Newtown improved to 4-1 after falling to Ridgefield in the tourney’s first round. Weston, which jumped out to a 3-0 start this year, fell to 3-2 after losing its first game, to host Staples, in the opening round. The South-West Conference foes will meet again when Newtown visits Weston on January 15.

Lyddy said an emphasis on securing the ball and minimizing turnovers was made in recent practices and that it paid off in the game.

Weston had an early lead but the Nighthawks outscored the Trojans 17-11 in the second quarter for a 27-24 halftime lead and never looked back — although Weston kept it close.

In the fourth quarter, the Nighthawks built on their lead thanks to a stingy defense. Weston was held without a field goal for the first 7:30 of the final eight-minute stanza and had only five fourth-quarter points, all on foul shots, before scoring a three-pointer in the final half minute.

Leading just 38-35, Newtown got some breathing room on a Josh Engler three-pointer with 5:43 to play. The Trojans kept nibbling into the deficit, but the Hawks managed to break through Weston’s late-game full court press and hit enough free throws down the stretch to maintain a multi-possession lead for the duration.

“We all played hard. We had a rough start, but we played it through,” said Engler, who led the way with 19 points and was named to the All Tournament Team.

Dan Lynch had 13 points, Casey Tenney scored eight and George Zaruba had four for Newtown.

The Nighthawks’ scheduled game at Norwich Free Academy on January 2 was postponed to January 9. Newtown will host Joel Barlow on Friday, January 8, at 7 pm.