NMS BOYS

Newtown 58, Jockey Hollow 23

Newtown 47, Jockey Hollow 38

Jake DeVellis scored 17 points, John Grimaldi added 15, and Connor Collier chipped in with 10 as the boys crushed an undermanned Jockey Hollow team, 58-23.

The real story of the game, though, was the defense – which held Jockey Hollow to just 14 points through the first three quarters. Kurt Nacewicz anchored that D, swiping five balls and playing aggressively all afternoon. Jason Kostecki, David Bray and Joe Cappiello controlled the balls and helped prevent second-chance shots.

Keith McGrath grabbed six rebounds and was instrumental in pushing the ball up the floor.

A day later, things were a bit tighter but – ultimately – the Lions came away the victor again, 47-38. With the score tied 38-38 with three minutes left to play, Kostecki (who had 10 points on the night) sealed the win for the locals with four clutch free throws.

Meanwhile, DeVellis added 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals as Grimaldi and Ricky Gallucci combined to pull down 14 rebounds. Nacewicz, Cole Depuy and McGrath had fine defensive efforts.

NMS GIRLS

Jockey Hollow 46, Newtown 45

Jockey Hollow 31, Newtown 29

Newtown 33, Woodbury 8

After suffering three consecutive losses (by a grand total of five points), the girls got back on track with a convincing 33-8 win over Woodbury on Tuesday afternoon.

Nora Lynn Shimko canned eight points while Jenna Legros, Linda Magliocco and Kelly Sullivan chipped in with six points apiece in a balanced scoring effort. Rachel Taback had seven rebounds while Jen Brewer, Jordyn Good and Lindsey Laub played well in a supporting role.

As the cheerleaders and dance team dazzled the crowd, Adelle Cerreta, Emily Kluga and Betsy Vendel pressured the Woodbury ball handlers.

But last week, the Lady Lions dropped a couple of heart-breaking decisions to rival Jockey Hollow.

In a 46-45 loss, Legros poured in 18 points while Shimko tacked on 15 points and nine steals. Good, Sullivan, Taback and Vendel all got into the scoring column, combining for 12 points. Brewer, meanwhile, grabbed 14 rebounds while Taback pulled down eight.

In a 31-29 loss to Jockey Hollow, Brewer popped in a team-high eight points while Taback (6), Shimko (5), Magliocco (4), Good (4) and Rachele Cox (2) all got into the scoring column. Sullivan, Kluga and Legros were strong off the glass while Laub, Cerreta and Vendel led a tenacious defensive effort.