Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team saw its season come to a close in a 76-49 loss at Hillhouse of New Haven in the first round of the Division II State Tournament on March 3.

The No. 29 Nighthawks had an early lead and trailed just 27-22 at halftime. No. 4 Hillhouse put up 26 points in the third quarter to take a 53-35 lead into the fourth.

Drew Bradley scored 12 points, Asher Williams had 11, and Aidan Walker added nine. Quinn Velez and Marcus Gerace both scored six and Luke Stewart had five points.

It was an overall interesting campaign for the Hawks — one in which the record did not fully indicate how competitive Newtown was against some strong opponents.

“Finishing the regular season at 8-12, we battled through a tough schedule with 11 games decided by seven points or less. While it was frustrating to come up short in so many close games, we proved that we could compete with some of the best teams in Connecticut. Our team’s resilience and effort were undeniable, and we’re proud of the fight we showed all season,” Newtown Coach Matt Murphy said.

One of those close defeats was a five-point setback to Notre Dame-Fairfield, one of the top lineups in Division I and the South-West Conference Champions. Newtown’s seniors, Bradley, Williams, and Jack Glassman, will be missed.

“Our three seniors have been outstanding leaders, setting a great example for their teammates through their dedication, hard work, and leadership. Their contributions to the program, both on and off the court, have left a lasting impact, and they will be truly missed. We are grateful for their commitment and the example that they have set,” Murphy said.

“High school sports teach invaluable life lessons — hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and resilience — that extend far beyond the game. Just as important are the strong lifelong relationships built through shared challenges, triumphs, and failures. The bonds formed on the court and in the locker room last a lifetime, shaping who we become both as athletes and as people,” Murphy said. “I hope that the members of this year’s team will look back on our season with fondness and that our seniors know that they will forever be a part of our Newtown basketball family.”

The Nighthawks had three players honored by the conference: Walker — First Team All SWC; Bradley — All Colonial Division; and Williams — Honorable Mention.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.