By Kim J. Harmon

Okay, the winning percentage (33.3%) of the Newtown High School winter sports program over the past week is rather dismal, but of the three wins earned in nine events two were stunners and of the six losses suffered two were nail biters right to the finish.

The girls’ basketball team had to grind it out, but picked up a crucial South-West Conference win over Pomperaug while the ice hockey team topped Bethel-Brookfield for the first time in its (current) six-year history. In addition to that, the boys’ basketball team had to go to overtime against Pomperaug (where it lost) while the swimmers took New Fairfield to the final event (before losing).

So, the winning percentage might not have been so hot … but the action certainly was.

Read on –

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Newtown 39, Pomperaug 29

Newtown 59, Brookfield 38

The Newtown High School girls’ basketball team has never – never – missed the South-West Conference tournament since its inception in 1995.

But at 9-6 and with four losses in their previous six games, the Lady Nighthawks were teetering on the precipice and in danger of missing the tournament for the first time.

And so everyone knew how critical the game with Pomperaug last Friday really was.

The Lady Panthers topped the ‘Hawks, 52-41, in a non-conference tilt back on December 15 but the locals exacted a little revenge with a hard-nosed, defensive-minded 39-29 win last Friday. Christie Iwanicki had 15 points and Morgan Knees had 11 to pace the ‘Hawks, but it was the defensive effort of Kristi Nowak – who chipped in four points – against Pomperaug freshman center Katie Cizynski that did the trick.

“We knew they liked to favor their height and liked to get the ball into her,” said Nowak, “and I knew I had to step it up for the team. But the rest of the defense really stepped it up, too.”

The Panthers had a 16-15 lead at the half, but the locals doubled up the Panthers in the third period to take a 25-21 lead into the fourth.

“I think everyone had (missing the tournament) in the back of their minds,” said Nowak, “but after the losses to Bethel and Bunnell we’ve learned not to take any team lightly.”

The girls followed up the win over Pomperaug with a convincing 59-38 win over Brookfield on Tuesday night as Knees canned 16 points, Nora Lynn Shimko – with the aid of four three-pointers – added 12 and Iwanicki contributed 10. Nowak had nine points as Katie Power scored her first points in a Newtown uniform with seven more.

Newtown 39, Pomperaug 29

NEWTOWN (39): Christie Iwanicki 6 2-5 15, Nora Lynn Shimko 0 0-0 0, Darcy Fiscella 1 1-2 3, Kristi Nowak 2 0-0 4, Morgan Knees 5 1-2 11, Katie Power 0 0-0 0, Katie Condon 2 0-2 6. TOTALS: 16 4-11 39.

POMPERAUG (29): Carla Zinno 2 0-0 4, Lauren Atkinson 0 0-0 0, Jackie Johnston 0 0-2 0, Kasey Dean 1 0-0 2, Amanda Shortt 4 4-4 13, Katie Cizynski 3 2-4 8, Jillian Cipriano 0 0-0 0, Lisa Cates 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 11 6-10 29.

Three-pointers: Condon (N) 2, Iwanicki (N), Shortt (P).

Newtown 59, Brookfield 38

NEWTOWN (59): Jen Brewer 0 0-0 0, Jordan Good 0 0-0 0, Christie Iwanicki 2 6-8 10, Nora Lynn Shimko 4 0-2 12, Darcy Fiscella 0 0-0 0, Kristi Nowak 4 1-4 9, Morgan Knees 7 2-4 16, Katie Power 3 1-3 7, Emily Leidlein 0 1-2 1, Katie Condon 0 2-2 2, Brittany Papaj 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 21 13-27 59.

BROOKFIELD (38): Brittany Depoi 1 0-0 2, Bianca Bartoli 1 0-0 2, Brianna Haynie 0 0-0 0, Katie Lenihan 0 2-2 2, Christina Preville 3 5-5 11, Miranda Depoi 0 0-2 0, Brittany Martelle 5 0-0 11, Amanda Peterson 0 0-0 0, Sam Schueschner 5 0-0 10, Kayla Wright 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 15 7-9 38.

Three-pointers: Shimko (N) 4, Martelle (B).

HOCKEY

Newtown 5, Bethel-Brookfield 3

Southington 5, Newtown 4

New Milford 7, Newtown 3

Two losses in a row aside, the Newtown High School hockey team took a step forward in the South-West Conference when it topped Bethel-Brookfield last week at the Danbury Ice Arena for the first time in its short, six-year rebirth.

The win helped the Nighthawks improve to 9-2-0 overall, which was tops in Division III. Two losses since – to Division III Southington and Division II New Milford – dropped the ‘Hawks to 9-4-0 (and third in Division III) with seven games left on the slate.

Halfway through the third period last week, it looked as if Newtown was going to ultimately fall – again – to Bethel-Brookfield. The ‘Hawks had built a 3-0 lead, only to watch it disappear slowly, but sophomore Christian Beitel was not about to be denied the victory.

Beitel finished off the third with two goals, closing out the 5-3 win.

The game started off well for the locals. Beitel posted an early goal off of an assist from his brother Max and senior Chris Kraft. It was clear that after the sting of the 3-1 loss the last time Newtown met Bethel-Brookfield, the ‘Hawks were determined to come out fast this time. They continued to skate aggressively throughout the rest of the first, leading to another goal by Matt Wright, who tipped the slap-shot of Braeden Conlan into the net.

The second period began much as the first had ended, with Newtown scoring. This time it was Wright again off of an assist from Blake Bell. The lead was 3-0, but then the tides turned and Newtown began to slip up.

Chris Pirrelli of Bethel-Brookfield scored late in the second to cut the lead to 3-1. The puck moved back and forth between both teams, until Bethel-Brookfield took control in the final minute of the period. Mike Martin slipped the puck past Newtown goalie Mitch Bloomberg, cutting the lead to 3-2 and ending the period.

The third began slowly, and it wasn’t until nine minutes into the period that any offensive headway was made. Unfortunately for the ‘Hawks, it was Bethel-Brookfield who capitalized, with Mike Garrison scoring a goal to tie the game.

But the biggest goal in the game was yet to come.

Christian Beitel and the rest of the ‘Hawks, skating short-handed, took advantage of a mistake made by the Bethel-Brookfield goalie. The net was wide open and Beitel simply slid the puck in, putting Newtown on top.

With one minute left in the third Beitel scored once again … netting the hat-trick and sealing the win for the ‘Hawks. Max Beitel and Pat Daly were credited with assists on the tally.

With that momentum, the ‘Hawks skated onto the ice at the new arena at Trinity College in Hartford last Saturday and took control of their game with Southington from the outset. Wright scored the first goal eight minutes into the period, assisted by Francis Oggeri, and three minutes later Max Beitel scored another, assisted by defenseman PJ Horoszko, to put the locals on top, 2-0.

The Blue Knights quickly responded with a goal to close out the period, but just three minutes into the second period Wright scored again – off an assist from Daly – and the locals had a 3-1 lead.

Then the game took a different turn. With three consecutive goals, the Blue Knights had all the momentum and took a 4-3 lead at the end of the second period. Though Christian Beitel, off an assist from his brother Max, evened the score in the third the Knights grabbed one last tally to secure the win.

It wasn’t nearly as close in a return engagement with New Milford on Monday. Despite some spirited checking by the Beitel brothers, the Green Wave earned a 7-3 win that dropped the ‘Hawks to 9-4-0 overall.

Oggeri, Taylor Casey and Horoszko all scored while Wright assisted twice. Bloomberg was bombarded in the goal and turned away some 40 shots.

The ‘Hawks will return to the ice on Friday when they host a rematch with Southington and next Wednesday will host Sheehan.

– Jake Burg contributed to this report

SWIMMING

New Fairfield 96, Newtown 90

Tied heading into the final event – it’s almost the best thing the Newtown High Schools swim team could have hoped for (outside of an insurmountable lead, of course) against New Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon.

Down four points following the 200 medley relay, the Nighthawks chipped away at the lead in the 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke and tied the dual meet with rival New Fairfield at 86-86 heading into the 400 freestyle relay.

A win – just a win – was all the Nighthawks needed to capture a stunning conference win.

Alas, the Rebels still had more than a few weapons left in their arsenal and the foursome of Altman, Kyracow, Welsch and Krompinger stormed to a pool record finish of 3:30.22 to down the ‘Hawks, 96-90.

The pool record in the event was coupled with another pool record for Tim Krompinger of the Rebels in the 100 backstroke. Both records stood since 1981.

The loss dropped the ‘Hawks to 5-3 overall, but the closeness of it gave the locals something to look forward to with the SWC trials and finals coming up at the end of the month.

“This definitely lifts our spirits heading into SWCs,” said co-captain Nick Maurer, who finished fourth in the 100 butterfly. “Obviously, we’re hoping we can get second there.”

The ‘Hawks got off to a bit of a slow start and found themselves in a 36-26 hole heading into diving. A 1-2 finish for the Rebels in the 50 freestyle was particularly hurtful, as was a disqualification for the ‘Hawks (of a second-place finish) in the 200 individual medley.

Solid performances by Scott Bierce, Allison Jagoe and Marissa Bobkowski helped the ‘Hawks build some momentum heading into the second half of the meet.

“We knew they would win most of the events,” said Maurer, “but we needed to pick up the seconds and third. And because of how it went before diving, it was a little surprising to be tied heading into the final event. But a good diving performance really helped.”

The Rebels maintained an eight- to 10-point lead until the ‘Hawks went 1-3 in the 200 freestyle relay to trim that lead to four. A 2-3-4 finish in the 100 backstroke (behind Krompinger’s pool record) further trimmed the lead to two and a first-place finish by Allen Hubbard in the 100 breaststroke allowed the locals to tie the meet heading into the final event.

The ‘Hawks will host Joel Barlow on Tuesday.

200 medley relay – 1. New Fairfield 1:47.06, 2. Newtown (A. Fiore, Toi, Maurer, L. Fiore) 1:47.52, 3. Newtown (Kron, T. Fragoso, Iassogna, J. O’Connor) 1:52.98; 200 freestyle – 1. Welsch (NF) 1:56.15, 2. Hood (N) 1:57.43, 3. McDonough (NF) 1:57.52, 4. A. Fiore (N) 1:57.65, 5. Herring (N) 2:01.76; 200 individual medley – 1. Toi (N) 2:09.49, 2. Troyjan (NF) 2:26.58, 3. Parker (N) 2:27.13, 4. Pfieffer (NF) 2:27.59, 5. Rosi (NF) 2:18.31; 50 freestyle – 1. Alton (NF) 23.08, 2. Allen (NF) 24.06, 3. L. Fiore (N) 24.37, 4. Pfeiffer (NF) 25.26, 5. J. O’Connor (N) 25.30; Diving – 1. Dean (NF) 130.88, 2. Bierce (N) 126.90, 3. Jagoe (N) 119.48, 4. Bobkowski (N) 115.00; 100 butterfly – 1. Allen (NF) 57.42, 2. Toi (N) 57.65, 3. Welsch (NF) 57.96, 4. Maurer (N) 1:01.12, 5. C. Fragoso (N) 1:04.12; 100 freestyle – 1. Allman (NF) 51.57, 2. A. Fiore (N) 52.26, 3. L. Fiore (N) 53.28, 4. Kron (N) 54.42, 5. Krypeon (NF) 56.29; 500 freestyle – 1. Krompinger (NF) 5:25.23, 2. Iassogna (N) 5:34.97, 3. Pfeiffer (NF) 5:46.49, 4. J. O’Connor (N) 5:48.32, 5. Rothacker (N) 5:52.55; 200 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (Hood, Toi, L. Fiore, A. Fiore) 1:37.52, 2. New Fairfield 1:37.67, 3. Newtown (Maurer, Herring, K. O’Connor, C. Fragoso) 1:43.21; 100 backstroke – 1. Krompinger (NF) 56.37, 2. Kron (N) 1:00.88, 3. Hood (N) 1:02.83, 4. T. Fragoso (N) 1:04.34, 5. Dehn (NF) 1:20.20; 100 breaststroke – 1. Hubbard (N) 1:09.30, 2. McDonough (NF) 1:09.85, 3. Pfeiffer (NF) 1:14.30, 4. C. Parker (N) 1:14.37, 5. Stein (N) 1:14.82; 400 freestyle relay – 1. New Fairfield 3:30.22, 2. Newtown (Herring, Hood, Iassogna, Kron) 3:41.71, 3. New Fairfield 3:47.30.

WRESTLING

Stratford 34, Newtown 30

With some questionable scoring decisions late in the 119-pound bout between John Gouveia of Newtown and Anthony Ricco of Stratford, the Newtown High School wrestling team saw a five-point lead slip through its fingers in the final two events of the night as it suffered a 34-30 loss last Wednesday to the Red Devils.

The loss dropped the Nighthawks to 8-9 overall, 5-4 in the South-West Conference.

The locals had a 30-25 lead with just the 119- and 125-pound weight classes remaining. Things looked good for the ‘Hawks with Gouveia – boasting a 23-5 mark heading into the match – walking onto the mat. But the sophomore was in for a tough battle and though he fell into an early hole, it appeared that he had earned some back points in the third to tighten the match. The referee did not award the points and Ricco was able to hold on for the win to narrow the Newtown lead to 30-28.

Kris Kling was left to try and earn a win against a strong Jesse Inman at 125 pounds, but Inman notched a pin at 3:40 of the second period to lift the Red Devils to the win.

Dana Van Buskirk (130) and Mark Bonamici (135) both earned three-point decisions as Jagi Gymacho (152), Bryant Aliaga (189) and Joel Minalgo (215) all earned pins. In a 14-9 loss at 160 pounds, Chris Marks gave a valiant effort as, on his back, his held off a potential six-point pin for more than a minute.

The locals returned to the mat on Wednesday, traveling to Stratford to take on Bunnell, and will be at Staples High School in Westport on Saturday to take on Staples, Platt, Holy Cross, Fairfield Prep and Greenwich. An SWC tilt with Bethel next Wednesday will close out the regular season schedule.

Stratford 34, Newtown 30

130 – Dana Van Buskirk (N) dec. Donson Nadeu 4-0; 135 – Mark Bonamici (N) dec. Vinnie Valiente 7-3; 140 – Steve Flathers (S) pinned Kyle Kearney 0:46; 145 – Travone Logan major dec. Chris Salvatore 10-1; 152 – Jagi Gymacho (N) pinned Zach Palmer-Vitti 1:41; 160 – Ramiro Martinez (S) dec. Chris Marks 14-9; 171 – Joey Valiente (S) pinned Dan Milot 1:52; 189 – Bryant Aliaga (N) pinned Quincy Irvin 2:26; 215 – Joel Minalgo (N) pinned Robert Peck 3:30; 285 – Jordan Miron (S) pinned Thaddeus Adams 5:30; 103 – Tyler Reszoly (N) by forfeit; 112 – double forfeit; 119 – Anthony Ricco (S) dec. John Gouveia 7-2; 125 – Jesse Inman (S) pinned Kris Kling 3:40.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Pomperaug 52, Newtown 48

Brookfield 51, Newtown 44

A losing streak may have more of a rule than an exception last year, but this year it is anomaly.

The Newtown High School boys’ basketball team suffered consecutive losses for the first time this season, falling to Pomperaug (52-48) and Brookfield (51-44) last week and dropping to 10-4 overall, 5-2 in the South-West Conference.

Against Pomperaug, it was like a malaise had set in right after the Nighthawks stormed out to a 20-8, first-quarter lead. From that moment on, a succession of bad decisions, poor passes and missed shots allowed the Panthers back into the game. Still, despite it all, the locals did not give up the lead until there was 6:45 left to play and down five with time fading, a three-pointer by Mike Maher and a head-fake, driving layup by Mike Troy lifted the ‘Hawks into a tie to send the game into overtime.

The Panthers went up by five early in the extra session and despite a three-pointer by Troy, the ‘Hawks were unable to recover.

Tucker Kass had 12 points to pace the ‘Hawks while Joe DeVellis and Troy had 10 apiece. Mike Kennedy struggled with foul trouble in the second half and was limited to six points … all coming in that first quarter run.

Against Brookfield, a spectacular shooting night by Mike Shakers – 27 points, six three-pointers – lifted the Bobcats to the win. The next highest scorer for the ‘Cats was Matt Nimer, who dropped in seven.

Kennedy paced the locals with 15 points while Troy – on 9-of-10 shooting from the free throw line – had 11.

The ‘Hawks will be back on the court Friday when they travel to Weston and next Tuesday when they travel to Stratford.

Pomperaug 52, Newtown 48 (OT)

POMPERAUG (52): Kyle Flisher 5 3-5 13, Dave Piccolo 2 1-4 5, Ken Pun 1 2-2 5, Tom Piccolo 2 1-4 5, Chip Dylagg 3 6-6 14, Chris Comeau 3 1-7 7, John Cram 1 1-1 3, Andrew Conlan 0 0-0 0, Chris Miller 0 0-0 0, Evan Makris 0 0-0 0, Bryan Wrable 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17 17-29 52.

NEWTOWN (48): Joe DeVellis 4 0-0 10, Mike Kennedy 2 2-2 6, Jack Quinn 0 0-0 0, Shaun Coakley 1 2-2 4, Tucker Kass 5 2-2 12, PJ Cochrane 0 0-0 0, Mike Maher 1 0-0 3, Jason Smith 0 0-0 0, Kevin Troy 3 3-4 10, Dan Smith 1 0-0 2, Jake DeVellis 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 9-10 48.

Three-pointers: Joe DeVellis (N) 2, Ken Pun (P), Mike Maher (N), Kevin Troy (N).

Brookfield 51, Newtown 44

BROOKFIELD (51): Wes Yusko 2 0-1 6, Scott Benzing 0 0-0 0, Colin Deakin 1 0-0 2, Matt Nimer 3 1-2 7, Chris Bickelhaupt 0 0-0 0, Mike Shaker 8 5-6 27, Matt Matern 0 0-0 0, Ben Post 0 0-0 0, Eric Shockley 1 3-4 5, Patrick Lappin 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 17 9-13 51.

NEWTOWN (44): Mike Kennedy 6 3-7 15, Tucker Kass 0 1-2 1, Dan Smith 2 0-0 4, Jack Quinn 0 0-0 0, Kevin Troy 1 9-10 11, Jason Smith 2 0-0 5, Mike Maher 0 0-0 0, Jake DeVellis 2 0-0 4, Joe DeVellis 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 15 13-19 44.

Three-pointers: Shaker (B) 6, Yusko (B) 2, Smith (N).