Boys’ Basketball—

Newtown Wins Two More In A Perfect Start, Improving To 8-0

By Steve Bigham

Don’t look now, but the boys’ basketball team at Newtown High School is in the midst of something special. It looks to be having one of those seasons that people will talk about for years to come.

The Nighthawks are 8-0 and off to quite possibly the best start in school history, certainly in recent history. A lot of Newtown teams have had great seasons, even won titles, but no one can remember the last time a Newtown team went nearly 50 percent of the way through without a blemish. One statewide poll has the locals ranked as high as 16th in Connecticut, although Newtown has yet to crack some of the better-known polls. A few more wins and the pollsters will be hard pressed to ignore the goings on in Newtown.

Last week, the Nighthawks steamrolled past New Fairfield and then upended Joel Barlow in its conference opener.

With 12 league games still to be played, it could be said that Newtown’s work has just barely begun. Many of the perennial powerhouses still lie ahead. No doubt, Newtown will be tested and going undefeated (20-0) will be close to impossible. But this team has demonstrated a will to win.

What makes the 8-0 start even more special is the fact that, unlike many successful basketball teams, this one features several key players — many of them seniors — who are getting their first varsity minutes ever.

This was not a team that had everyone back from a season ago. Sure, Kevin Troy and Dan Smith were varsity starters a year ago, but guys like point guard Jason Smith, Greg Rodden, Mike Maher, and PJ Cochrane were members of last year’s undefeated JV team. It just proves what a difference hard work in the off season can make. Hanging out together, knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and understanding the importance of the team game are what make this team tick.

“These guys are a close bunch. You always see them together after school,” noted NHS athletic director and boys’ freshmen basketball coach Gregg Simon.

“All these guys do is play basketball and they do it well,” added Coach John Quinn, who credits Simon and JV coach Brian Cragin with helping to implement some of this year’s offensive schemes. Simon said this group picked up on how to run things unlike any other he’s seen.

Newtown has already won two early-season tournaments and its fast start, which has come as a surprise to some, is starting to grab people’s attention. Still, this group remains focused, intent on looking at what still needs to be done rather than what has already been achieved.

“At practice, these guys work so hard. I can’t ask them to play any better, but you always want them to keep improving and remain focused. And I really don’t even need to tell these guys. They are really self-motivated and prepared to do whatever it takes to keep this thing going,” Quinn said.

Newtown had a bye on Tuesday and was preparing for another match up with New Fairfield on the road on Friday. It then travels to Bethel next Tuesday before coming home to play a talented New Milford team Friday, January 18. No doubt, the NHS gymnasium will be packed for that one.

Newtown 60, New Fairfield 46

The Nighthawks opened the New Year last week by beating New Fairfield in a nonconference game. Trailing by a point at halftime, the Nighthawks proceeded to go on a 24-5 run to put the game away in the third quarter. During the spurt, PJ Cochrane nailed two three-pointers and Mike Maher added a third. Maher led the winners with 15 points, Kevin Troy scored 13 and Cochrane added 12. Jake DeVellis tossed in 11, providing an invaluable spark off the bench.

“I lit into them a little at halftime because I felt like they were playing to the level of their competition. They responded,” Quinn said.

In the second half, the Nighthawks tightened up the defense and were patient on offense, attacking their opponent only after its had broken down its defense.

Newtown 73, Joel Barlow 61

Troy led the way with 19 points, Jason Smith scored 10 points and 10 of the team’s 12 players got into the scoring column in a game that wasn’t as close at the final score might indicate. Newtown’s reserves accounted for 26 points, including seven from DeVellis, and five each from Connor Collier, Daniel Quinn and Kyle Kromberg.

Newtown also hit a season high eight three pointers.

Joel Barlow led 6-0 before the Nighthawks kicked it up a notch, going up by as many as 22 in the third quarter.