By Kim J. Harmon

The holidays are for going home and, in a way, the holidays were a homecoming of sorts for a few Newtown athletes.

For instance …

[Meghan and Amy Kelley used to play basketball for Newtown. Now they play basketball for Immaculate. And on Saturday night, they were back in Newtown to lead the Lady Mustangs in a South-West Conference tilt against the Lady Nighthawks.

[Josh Rouse used to play hockey for Immaculate. Now he plays basketball for Newtown and on Saturday was back in Danbury to lead the Nighthawks in a South-West Conference tilt against the Mustangs.

While the homecoming (of sorts) went well for Rouse, who put together a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) to lead the ‘Hawks to an exciting 47-46 win, the homecoming (of sorts) did not go so well for the Kelley’s as the ‘Hawks rolled to an easy 63-32 win.

A bunch of other stuff happened as well (like the hockey team dropping two one-goal games and the swimmers returning from the holidays and losing to powerhouse Pomperaug), as Newtown sports made the transition from 2003 to 2004 –

Imagine – 32 minutes of basketball and it all comes down to the final few seconds of the game.

Oh yeah, a thrilling South-West Conference boys’ basketball game last Saturday came down to a baseline shot by Josh Deutscher of Immaculate and after that shot caressed the rim and then fell out Newtown had grabbed a 47-46 win.

“It was a battle,” said head coach John Quinn. “But we controlled the tempo and we played a great second quarter. For six years we have opened the league schedule against three tough opponents and it was nice to get that first league win.”

It was an explosive second quarter, the only quarter in which the ‘Hawks outscored the Mustangs, that made the difference. The 18-6 advantage the ‘Hawks enjoyed in that period helped them climb out of a five-point hole that arose from the first period … and then helped them hold on as the Mustangs rallied in the second half.

That win, coupled with wins over Kaynor Tech on December 29 and Notre Dame on January 6, put the ‘Hawks at 4-2 overall, 2-0 in the SWC.

Josh Rouse – a former hockey player at Immaculate – scored 12 points and dragged down 11 rebounds to lead Newtown and Dave Anderson chipped in with 14 points and Ronnie Shimko added 11 as the Mustangs locked down leading scorer Andrew Fiscella, holding him to just five points on the night.

“Josh had a great game,” said coach Quinn. “And he played so well against (Josh) Deutscher, one of the best players in our league. (Dave) Anderson played big, too, and Marcus (Tracy) and Brian (Smith) helped spell us.”

Yes, the ‘Hawks got a lift from Smith and Tracy, who stepped out onto the floor for the first time in 2003-04. Smith came back from a broken wrist suffered during the pre-season while Tracy is back after two months recuperating from a strained MCL (medial collateral ligament) and fractured fibula suffered during the fall soccer season.

Smith canned a three-pointer to help spark the ‘Hawks. Tracy was scoreless.

The thriller was sandwiched by easy wins over Kaynor Tech (62-34) and Notre Dame (71-33).

In the win over Tech, Fiscella poured in 27 points (with a trio of three-pointers) to lead the way. Anderson added 19 (with a three of his own). Shimko canned seven points. The ‘Hawks had a decent 13-point lead heading into the final frame, but blew the game wide open while out-scoring the Panthers, 23-6, over the final eight minutes.

In the win over Notre Dame, Fiscella drained a pair of threes and had 10 points in the first quarter alone enroute to a 21-point performance while Anderson was strong in the middle, adding 13 points (nine of those in the first half).

Although the ‘Hawks were up only nine points at the half, 29-20, they really turned on the afterburners in the second half and outscored the Lancers, 42-13.

Tracy saw significant minutes at the point and made a couple of ohmygod plays that stunned the crowd – like a sky block off the backboard in the second half. The point guard finished with 12 points on the night, including a three-pointer from the corner. Smith was held scoreless, but pulled down 10 rebounds.

Coach Quinn was able to clear his bench in the second half, giving time to Kyle Lyddy, Adam Drummond, Dave McLaughlin and Anthony Santella. In the waning moments of the game, Santella canned a three-pointer off glass and McLaughlin popped in a runner in the lane.

Things could have been a lot worse in this game – a lot worse for the Lancers, that is. The ‘Hawks shot a dismal 8-for-22 from the free throw line.

The ‘Hawks will host Kolbe Cathedral on Friday and then travel to New Milford on Tuesday.

Kaynor Tech      34

Newtown            62

 

NEWTOWN (62): Anderson 7 4-6 19, Fiscella 9 6-8 27, Oliver 1 1-4 3, Shimko 3 0-2 7, Rouse 0 0-2 0, Lyddy 0 1-2 1, Quinn 0 3-4 3, Santella 1 0-0 2 (Totals: 20 15-28 62); KAYNOR TECH (34): Young 2 0-0 4, Rhinehart 3 0-0 7, Barnes 2 0-0 5, Gibbs 5 2-7 12, Caisse 0 2-4 2, Talho 1 0-2 2, Boedoe 1 0-0 2 (Totals: 14 4-11 34).

Three-pointers: Fiscella (N) 3, Shimko (N), Anderson (N), Rhinehart (K), Barnes (K).

Newtown            47

Immaculate       46

 

NEWTOWN (47): Manfredonia 1 0-0 2, Rouse 3 6-7 12, Fiscella 2 1-2 5, Shimko 5 0-0 11, Anderson 5 3-6 14, Tracy 0 0-0 0, Smith 1 0-0 3 (Totals: 17 10-15 47); IMMACULATE (46): Palmer 3 0-0 8, Long 1 2-3 4, White 3 0-0 6, Gerrity 7 1-1 16, Deutscher 4 0-0 8, Cordery 2 0-0 4, K. Anderson 0 0-0 0, Nelson 0 0-0 0 (Totals: 20 3-4 46).

Three-pointers: Shimko (N), Anderson (N), Smith (N), Palmer (I) 2, Gerrity (I).

Notre Dame       33

Newtown            71

 

NEWTOWN (71): Anderson 5 3-7 13, Fiscella 8 2-5 21, Manfredonia 1 0-0 2, Oliver 1 1-2 3, Shimko 2 0-0 5, Rouse 3 2-5 8, Lyddy 1 0-0 2, Quinn 0 0-0 0, Santella 1 0-0 3, McLaughlin 1 0-0 2, Tracy 4 3-3 12, Smith 0 0-0 0 (Totals: 27 8-22 71); NOTRE DAME (33): Sparks 0 0-0 0, Kinlock 2 2-2 7, Grenier 1 0-0 2, Oleynick 1 2-4 5, Hoffler 2 0-0 4, Estrada 3 0-0 7, Alexander 0 2-2 2, Vielot 3 0-0 6 (Totals: 12 6-8 33).

Three-pointers: Fiscella (N) 3, Shimko (N), Santella (N), Tracy (N), Kinlock (ND), Oleynick (ND), Estrada (ND).

In little less than a year, Notre Dame has become one HUGE headache for the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team. Last February, the Lady Lancers knocked the Lady Nighthawks out of the South-West Conference playoffs and this past Tuesday heaped on some more abuse in the way of a 66-45 win.

There used to be a time when the ‘Hawks could count their archrivals on one finger.

But times have changed.

Kelley Haines went into the game needing 21 points to eclipse the 1,000-point barrier and finished with 16 to lead the ‘Hawks. Stephanie Logan had nine points and Ashley Larocque finished with six.

The ‘Hawks had no answers for Taylor Simmons (20 points), Dominique Courtney (18 points), Brittany Downing (15 rebounds) and, especially, Michelle Mihalov (12 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals).

The loss dropped the ‘Hawks to 6-2 overall, 2-1 in the SWC and it came after a convincing win over Immaculate last weekend.

Meghan and Amy Kelley of Newtown returned to the local basketball floor for the first time since transferring to Immaculate and while their presence had helped the Lady Mustangs win four of their first five games, the ‘Hawks were simply too strong last Saturday and rolled to an easy 63-32 win.

Haines canned 22 points (with four three-pointers) and Jacky Curran chipped in 10 points to lead the ‘Hawks to the win, but it was the defense which really made the difference. A strong effort on the perimeter by Julie Iwanicki and Larocque forced the Lady Mustangs (24% from the floor) to make a number of poor shot selections. Haines spent most of the game on Meghan Kelley and limited the Mustangs’ scoring leader to just seven points.

Now at 6-2 overall, 2-1 in the SWC, the ‘Hawks will travel to Bridgeport on Friday to take on Kolbe Cathedral and will return home on Tuesday to host New Milford.

Immaculate       32

Newtown            63

 

NEWTOWN (63): Iwanicki 2 0-0 5, Curran 4 2-3 10, Logan 2 1-2 5, Simek 1 1-2 3, Larocque 2 1-2 5, Cooper 2 2-2 6, Foehrenbach 0 0-0 0, Filler 2 1-1 5, Haines 9 0-0 22, O’Connor 1 0-0 2 (Totals: 28 8-12 63); IMMACULATE (32): Fernandes 1 0-0 2, Donofrio 0 4-6 4, Sheeran 0 0-0 0, Brown 2 1-1 5, M. Kelley 3 0-2 7, Mackay 3 2-2 8, A. Kelley 0 0-0 0, Weiss 3 0-0 6 (Totals: 12 7-11 32).

Three-pointers: Haines (N) 4, Iwanicki (N), Mackay (I).

Newtown            45

Notre Dame       64

 

NEWTOWN (45): Iwanicki 2 2-3 6, Curran 0 0-0 0, Logan 4 1-4 9, Larocque 3 0-0 6, Cooper 2 0-0 4, Filler 0 0-0 0, Haines 6 2-2 16, O’Connor 2 0-3 4 (Totals: 19 5-12 45); NOTRE DAME (64): Tranquilo 0 0-0 0, Mihalov 5 2-3 12, Berard 1 0-2 2, Downing 1 0-3 2, King 0 0-0 0, Smith 6 0-1 12 Courtney 7 0-1 18, Simmons 9 0-1 20 (Totals: 29 2-11 66).

 

Three-pointers: Haines (N) 2, Courtney (ND) 4, Simmons (ND) 2.

As if it were encoded in its DNA, the Newtown High School boys’ swim team holds out hope every year that its time to beat Pomperaug has finally come. While the hope will continue, it will have to hold out for another year.

The Nighthawks dropped a 98-82 decision to the Panthers on Tuesday afternoon in Southbury.

There were some strong performances for the ‘Hawks, just not enough of ‘em. Individually, Andrew Heller was first in the 200 individual medley at 2:13.69, Chris Jacobs was first in the 100 freestyle at 53.81 (as well as second in the 200 freestyle at 2:00.93), Zack Moliver was first in the 100 backstroke at 1:04.39, and Jake Maher was first in the 100 breaststroke at 1:12.87.

The divers also performed well, with Steve Truitt taking second (178.50 points), CJ Maurer taking third (171.35 points) and Bryan Lacouture taking fourth (148.60 points).

Also, the 200 medley relay team of Moliver, Maher, Heller and Dave Lamarche finished first at 1:52.98 and the 400 freestyle relay team of Heller, Jacobs, Moliver and Lamarche finished first at 3:44.03.

The loss dropped the ‘Hawks to 2-1 on the year.

In the two wins that opened the 2003-04 season –

[Heller put together a crisp 59.47 in the 100 butterfly against Masuk and then followed up in the same event with a slightly (ever so slightly) slower 59.55 against New Milford. And against New Milford, Heller raced to a 5:44.20 finish in the 500 freestyle.

[Jacobs was a double winner against Masuk, capturing first in the 50 freestyle (24.68) and 500 freestyle (5:45.86). Against New Milford, Jacob put together a strong 2:04.71 in the 200 freestyle.

[Moliver also was a double winner against Masuk, capturing first in the 200 individual medley (2:24.15) and 100 backstroke. Against New Milford, Moliver put together a 1:05.12 in the 100 backstroke.

[Lamarche was first in the 200 freestyle (2:06.53) and second in the 100 butterfly (1:02.00) against Masuk and followed up with a 1:05.98 in the 100 butterfly against New Milford.

[The 200 medley relay team of Moliver, Maher, Heller and Jacobs finished first against Masuk in 1:56.25 and with Lamarche subbing in for Jacobs, the foursome went 1:58.61 against New Milford.

In its only action over the holiday week, the Newtown High School wrestling team finished 13th overall at the Bristol Central Invitational Tournament with 68.5 points. Ledyard earned the tournament championship with 226 points while Waterford (169.5) and Plainville (163) trailed far behind in second and third place.

The Nighthawks actually finished tied with Branford with 68.5 points apiece.

The ‘Hawks hosted Weston on Wednesday (after press time) and will be at Maloney in Middletown on Saturday to take on Maloney and Bethel High Schools. The ‘Hawks will return home next Wednesday to host New Fairfield.

An exciting overtime win over New Fairfield back on December 27 might have given the Newtown High School hockey team a lift and stopped a three-game slide, but the gods of fate have repaid the Nighthawks with two consecutive one-goals losses.

The ‘Hawks fell to East Lyme (5-4) and New Milford (4-3) and dropped to 3-5 overall, 3-3 in the South-West Conference.

East Lyme limped into the Danbury Ice Arena having lost its first four games with a –28 goal differential and when Buzz LaPorta and Nick Harris put the ‘Hawks on top, 2-0, with first period goals it looked to be more of the same for the Vikings.

But then the rally started.

Matt Otte, Nick Augusto and Tate Morris scored three unanswered goals in the second and third periods to give East Lyme a 3-2 lead. Justin Pacheco responded with his first goal for Newtown to tie the score, but then the Vikings took a 5-3 lead on goals by Nick and Matt Otte.

The ‘Hawks could only respond with a goal from Blaise LaPorta.

Travis Speer (2), Harris and Corey Regensburger all had assists for the ‘Hawks in the loss.

Things did not get much better last Saturday when the ‘Hawks traveled to the Canterbury School in New Milford and had to come home saddled with a 4-3 loss. Kevin Crossen scored a pair of goals – including the game winner with seven minutes left in the third period – to lift the Green Wave to the victory.

The Wave took an early 2-0 lead, but Buzz halved that deficit with his 13th goal of the season. The Wave took a 3-1 lead on a goal by Ryan Kaiser, but goals from Blaise and Buzz LaPorta (each assisting the other) tied the score at 3-3.

But then Crossen’s goal decided the affair.

The Green Wave unleashed 36 shots and Newtown goaltender Peter Oggeri turned away 32 of them.

Newtown            3

Housatonic         5

 

GOALS: Newtown – S. LaPorta, Harris, T. Speer; Housatonic – Nelson (2), Habacker, Zbinden, Hassiq. ASSISTS: Newtown – Kass (2), B. LaPorta, G. Speer.

East Lyme          5

Newtown            4

 

GOALS: Newtown – S. LaPorta, Harris, Pacheco, B. LaPorta; East Lyme – M. Otte (2), Augusto, Morris, N. Otte. ASSISTS: Newtown – T. Speer (2), Harris, Regensburger; East Lyme – N. Otte (2), Chamberlin (2), Moore (2), Moore, Bartlett.

 

Newtown            3

New Milford      4

 

GOALS: Newtown – S. LaPorta (2), B. LaPorta; New Milford – Crossen (2), Strum, Kaiser. ASSISTS: Newtown – S. LaPorta, B. LaPorta; New Milford – Kaiser (2), DiGiacomo, Marcoux. SAVES: Newtown – Oggeri 32; New Milford – Harris 14.