The madness of March was in full bloom last weekend and three Newtown travel basketball teams took part in all the hoopla and frenzy by bringing home Fairfield County Basketball League (FCBL) championships.

The sixth-grade boys’ travel team defeated New Canaan, 55-52, in the FCBL ‘B’ Division championship as the sixth-grade girls’ travel team defeated Ridgefield, 45-38, in its FCBL championship. And the fifth-grade girls’ travel team completed the trifecta with a 17-14 win over New Fairfield in its FCBL ‘A’ Division championship game.

What a weekend.

But the madness is not yet cured.

In the In-House program, the Intermediate Girls and Junior Girls divisions will be playing their championship games on Saturday, March 19, at the Reed Intermediate School (11:30 am for the Intermediate division and 12:45 pm for the Junior division).

Meanwhile, the Intermediate Boys and Junior Boys divisions will play their semi-finals on Saturday, also at the Reed Intermediate School. The Bullets (#1) will square off against the Mavericks (#12) at 9 am and the Knicks (#2) will face the Wildcats (#6) at 10:15 am in the Intermediate division while the Wildcats (#1) will face the Rockets (#12) at 2 pm and Huskies (#2) will face the Jaspers (#3) at 3:15 pm in the Junior division.

Championship games in those divisions will be held Wednesday, March 23, at 6 pm (Intermediate) and 7:30 pm (Junior).

SIXTH-GRADE BOYS

Newtown 55, New Canaan 52

Sharpshooters, but shorthanded.

Yes, New Canaan had the kind of deadly accuracy from the perimeter that could have carried it to the FCBL championship, but the Canaanites could not contend with the superior physical presence of Newtown and could not hold off the locals forever.

Sean Maher and Matt Datin combined for 32 points and Robbie Carroll grabbed 11 rebounds to lift Newtown to the coveted championship. Ishan Tatake and Robert Frangione provided stellar play at the point.

The locals fell behind early as New Canaan hit its outside shots seemingly at will – which it needed to do as getting inside against Datin and fellow big man Grant Braun was not in the cards for the Rams. New Canaan rode its hot touch to an early 12-4 lead, but Maher started to turn the tide by fighting his way to the basket and – upon being fouled a few times – hitting 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

With Maher’s explosive court speed and ability to elevate and with Datin (19 rebounds on the day) exerting his presence inside, New Canaan was quickly put on notice. The locals got back into the game and were down just 15-11 at the end of the first period thanks to a Lewis Thompson jumper and Frangione’s dash to the basket.

With Newtown forward Josh Engler continuously double-teamed, the locals needed to look elsewhere for their offense. In the second quarter, Maher swished a three-pointer and Braun – grabbing a feathery pass from Engler – laid in two points to cut the New Canaan lead to one.

Frangione again drove the lane for a basket, Jack Kneisel rainbowed one in from outside and Max Nacewicz (10 rebounds) made both ends of a one-and-one to offset two New Canaan bombs from three-point range and the first half ended with New Canaan ahead, 31-30.

Newtown kept it close in the third quarter. As he did all year, Tatake played impeccable defense and ran the show with insightful precision from the point, allowing his teammates to gamble and take advantage of seams in the shorthanded (and increasingly tired) New Canaan defense. Robbie Carroll was everywhere, battling for rebounds and hawking for steals.

Newtown’s third quarter scoring was spread out.

Maher again went coast-to-coast, Thompson hit another jumper, Datin popped in a putback. When Jack Kneisel took the ball hard to the hoop and was fouled, the shot dropped in and the three-point play was sealed by the free throw. Still, the three pointers continued to come down like a cold rain from New Canaan, which built on its halftime lead and took a 45-39 advantage into the final quarter.

Balance and depth has been a Newtown trademark and that depth ruled the day in the championship game.

Head coach Bill Kneisel knew he could put any of his 10 available players out on the court and remain competitive with any team, and this day was no different. Even with standout power forward RJ Roman sidelined for the final few games of the season with a knee injury, this Hawk team was able to keep throwing out fresh legs as the New Canaan players bogged down late, were exhausted, continuously caught off guard and in foul trouble.

When one of the New Canaan big men eventually fouled out, it left only one option from the bench, and with the pace Newtown was setting, it was simply too much to ask of the undermanned Rams. Newtown kept playing while New Canaan lost its legs, outscoring the Rams 16-7 in the fourth quarter as Datin scored eight of his 17 points in the deciding eight minutes.

As the score tightened and Tatake and Engler continued to apply acute pressure on offense and defense, Braun was able to wriggle free and hit a layup from inside.

With the score tied at 51-51 and just 18 seconds to play, it was Datin who took a Frangione pass and hit a jump shot from just inside and to the right of the foul line to put the Hawks up to stay. Frangione made a big steal as New Canaan made an attempt to inbound. Maher was fouled yet again, and two free throws with eight seconds left sealed the deal.

As New Canaan hurled up a futile last shot, Tatake cradled the ball in his arms and the championship celebration began in earnest.

SIXTH-GRADE GIRLS

Newtown 45, Ridgefield 38

They opened the season 0-3, but finished the season 3-0. And with a 45-38 overtime win over Ridgefield, the Newtown sixth-grade girls’ travel basket team took home an FCBL championship.

Newtown – with teamwork and heart – advanced to the championship game by virtue of wins over Wilton (34-15) and Redding (31-30) and then took an early lead on Ridgefield in the championship game.

But Ridgefield tied the score at the half and stayed close enough in the second half that, after two Newtown girls fouled out, tied the game with 30 seconds left and sent it into an overtime session. But in OT, Jennifer Smith was fouled after grabbing a loose ball and dropped in her second free throw to put the locals up for good.

Newtown shut Ridgefield out in the overtime period, 7-0, to ensure the win.

Every player on the team (and there were just eight of ‘em) scored in the championship game.

FIFTH-GRADE GIRLS

Newtown 17, New Fairfield 14

Riley Wurtz nailed three free throws in the final minute of the game, lifting the Newtown fifth-grade girls’ travel basketball team to a thrilling, 17-14 win over New Fairfield in the FCBL ‘A’ Division championship game.

Wurtz finished with seven points. Jessica Lynch kept Newtown in the game in the first half, scoring all four of its points as she finished the day with six. Alyssa Finkenstadt and Jessica Jowdy added two points each.

Newtown – in its first year of travel competition – finished its season at 15-4 by winning 14 of its last 16 games.

The roster includes Abbey Doski, Christina Caporale, Meghan Condon, Molly Mahony, Nora Murphy, Kendall Svanda, Riley Wurtz, Jessica Jowdy, Alyssa Finkenstadt and Jessica Lynch, all of whom made significant contributions to the team’s success this year.

In other youth basketball action –

SENIOR GIRLS

Average Joe’s 39, The Clementines 23 – Emily Nezvesky scored 17 points and Emily Fields had seven more to lead the Joe’s. Meg Rawson had a strong game. For the Clementines, Caitlin Hansen had eight points and Jen Brill had five as Nicole Benzinger and Kristene Salbu put forth a great effort.

Midnight Riders 37, Devil Dogs 26 – Courtney Brunton poured in 28 points to lead the Riders to the win. Rachel Maley and Megan LaFlamme chipped in with six points apiece as Katie McNulty (10 rebounds) and Marina Virgalla played well. For the Dogs, Rose Jackman and Christina Wolf combined for 15 points as Jen Greenwood and Kate Dougherty played well.

The Clementines 37, Team Poeltl 36 – Casey Frobey and Caitlin Hansen combined for 20 points to lead the Clementines to the win. Jenna Zigman and Quincey Blanchard played well. For Poeltl, Tara Gaston popped in 12 points and Lindsey Chimileski added eight. Lauren Nemeth, Jess Budnick and Tara Ryan had strong floor games.

Average Joe’s 42, Purple Pirates 24 – Emily Nezvesky canned 18 points and Melissa Mason added eight to lead the Joe’s to the win. Beth Morin and Emily Fields played well. For the Pirates, Jess Palmero popped in 16 points as Jackie Ercole (eight assists), Sarah Holroyd (eight steals) and Christina Ercole played well.

 

TRAVEL

Girls 7th

Weston 32 Newtown 28 – Newtown lost a heartbreaker to Weston in overtime at the Keegan Tournament in Monroe. Newtown battled back in the fourth quarter behind the foul shooting of Sara Kelley (5-of-7) and Kate Bowen (3-of-4). Kelley led all scorers with 19 points while Bowen chipped in seven. Nicole Elias, Brittany Wiberg and Carolyn Fagan were strong off the boards for Newtown while Meghan Bridges was strong defensively.

Newtown 25, Ridgefield 18 – Ally Modzelewski, Carolyn Fagan and Kaitlin Marsden were outstanding on defense as they led Newtown over Ridgefield. Sara Kelley netted seven points while Jennifer Dailey chipped in five. Stephanie Suhoza and Marsden were strong off the boards for Newtown.

IN-HOUSE

Junior Boys

Rockets 46, Nuggets 44 – Ryan Goodridge canned 16 points and Pete Wlasuk added 10 more to lift the Rockets to the win. Josh Baren, Brendan Blawie and David Kopyscinski played well. For the Nuggets, Tory Deakin popped in seven points, Erik Hoffman dished off seven assists and Harrison Gillis grabbed 10 rebounds.

Jaspers 50, Yellowjackets 38 – Jason Kostecki scored 16 points to lead the Jaspers. Chris Caulfield and Jeff Keating played well. For the ‘Jackets, Brian Reszoly poured in 20 points while Ed White added seven. Joe Fedak, Dyan Kelleher, Brandon Bennett and Mehul Garjar had solid floor games.

Huskies 48, Heat 34 – Joe Cappiello canned 22 points, dished off five assists and made four steals to lead the Huskies to the win. AJ Ritchie added 12 points as Zach Brazo grabbed 14 rebounds. For the Heat, John Aminti and John Fracker combined for 25 points as Dan O’Connor dished off five assists, Hiram Orama made six steals, and Jamie Bowers grabbed seven boards.

Wildcats 57, Lakers 41 – Jake DeVellis poured in 39 points as the Wildcats ran past the Lakers. Keith Reszoly scored six points while Mitch Udiskey and David Hutchison played well on defense. For the Lakers, Jeff DiNicola scored 12 points and Brendan O’Connell grabbed 11 rebounds. Andrew Meisel and Nick Neves combined for 16 points as RJ Swift played well on defense.

Intermediate Boys

Mavericks 36, Celtics 31 – Tom Capozziello scored 16 points and Peter Kerns added nine more to lift the Mavs to the quarterfinal win over the Celtics. Sean Burson had six assists and four steals while Kerns also grabbed six boards. For the Celtics, Kyle McCarthy scored 12 points as Trevor Carey, Drew Seymour and Ryan Korth had fine floor games.

Bullets 36, Hawkeyes 35 (2 OT) – Greg Campbell scored six of his eight points in overtime and lifted the Bullets to the thrilling win over the Hawkeyes. Pat Zingaro nailed a putback at the fourth-quarter buzzer to send the game into the extra sessions. Throughout the game, neither team boasted more than a three-point lead. For the Hawkeyes, Sean Devaney canned 14 points and Bobby Mascher (who was 5-of-6 from the line in overtime) added 13.  Jack Enriquez played well.

Knicks 29, Vipers 10 – John Wlasuk canned nine points and Tom Anderau grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Knicks to the win. Dan White and Jim Russo played well. For the Vipers, Ryan Powers scored eight points as Steve Braun and Scott Runkle played well.

Wildcats 23, Nighthawks 22 – Patrick Sullivan scored eight points and Michael George grabbed five rebounds as the Wildcats slipped past the Nighthawks. Kevin Dennis played well. For the ‘Hawks, Hank Helgren popped in eight points as Austin Puleri and Ryan Pasko chipped in with six points apiece. Ryan Dunnigan and Kyle Harrington had fine floor games.

Intermediate Girls

Nighthawks 16, Da Bears 12 – Jessica Fossum and Pickles Paproski scored four points apiece to lead the Nighthawks to the win. Laurel Speed was stellar on defense while Christina Naldini grabbed seven boards and Jenna Poeltl made two steals. For Da Bears, Emma Fiore canned seven points and Katie Cummings added three. Emma Herring, Courtney Amaral (nine rebounds) and Kaitlyn Vos Winkel (three steals, three rebounds) played well.

Suns 39, Rim Rockers 30 – Marilyn LaCroce poured in 19 points to lead the Suns to the win. Breanne Lubinsky and Stephanie Clavette were strong off the glass as Kelly O’Connor and Marissa Cucco had outstanding all-around games. For the Rockers, Ali Pliszka popped in 12 points and Jade Mather added six. Emily Rowe, Alex Cernick and Amanda Swift (six rebounds) had fine floor games.

Midget Girls

Grey Ghosts versus Ballhogs – Emily Cannavo, Brittany Emslie and Brittany Pearson led the Ghosts and Danielle Shine, Stephanie Roman, Emily DiGiralamo and Rachel Wiberg paced the ‘Hogs.

Purple Panthers versus Huskies – Kerry Scallon, Jessica Gibbons, Ryanne Duffy and Lindsey Jossick played well for the Panthers as Morgan Cutulo, Rachel Maguire, Sarah Stofko and Stephanie Zamary led the Huskies.

Fireballs versus Fighting Irish – Susie Gissen, Faaria Ansari, Melanie Rotante and Keily Kuligowski played well for the Fireballs as Vanessa Feldman, Rachel DiVanno, Shannon O’Gorman and Karlie Kuligowski paced the Irish.

Golden Bears versus Devils – Julie LaPerch, Lisa Tassanari, Claire Miles and Marybeth Semosky had strong performances for the Bears while Shaina Stamp, Emily Grimes, Brittany Tolla and Dale Shearin anchored the Devils.

Yellowjackets versus Wolverines – Jenny Indelicato, Maddie Good and Kate Bartel played well for the ‘Jackets while Caitlin Gibney, Courtney Tenney, Kelly O’Connell and Madeline Fletcher played well for the Wolverines.

Midget Boys

Blue Devils versus Orange Crush – Sean Elliott, Devin DiNicola, Scott Schmidt and Matt Bolinsky played well for the Devils as Hunter Low, Chris George and Michael Gallantin led the Crush.

Blue Lightning versus Challengers – Peter Martino, Wyatt Depuy, Andrew Volkers and Nick Sajovic had fine floor games for the Lightning while Tom Bauer, Jack Benedict, Harrison Snellback and Ryan Seymour played well for the Challengers.

Squarepants versus Red Bombers – Ricky Kerins, Kyle Morrissey, Jason Horowitz and Stefan Dullinger had strong efforts for the ‘Pants as Daniel Winn, Nick Gerbo, Charlie Poarch and Patrick Hagerty paced the Bombers.

Tigers versus Nighthawks – Sam Ashey, Jake Feinstein and Tyler Coleman played well for the Tigers as Conner Quinn, Kevin Shpunt, Miles LoBuglio and Taylor Varga anchored the ‘Hawks.

Pistons versus Golden Eagles – Matt Barra, Scott Kelly, Jack Kearney and Patrick Rowley played well for the Pistons as Nick Cagganello, Garrison Buzzanca, Bubba LeBlanc and Jack Zahansky played well for the Eagles.

Challengers versus Grizzlies – Brandon Marks, Tom Bauer, Ian Melvin and Ryan Seymour powered the Challengers while Shay DeMarche, Brendan Peterson, Christian Barrett and Patrick Mullins played well for the Grizzlies.

Orange Crush versus Pistons – Chris George, Michael Gallatin, Hunter Low and Tommy Cassin played well for the Crush as Reid Schmidt, Dave Gerics, Drew Sullivan, and Steven Anderau anchored the Pistons.

Blue Lightning versus Nighthawks – Pieter Martino, Wyatt Depuy, Hames Marusi and Sam Boland paced the Lightning as Robert Linden, Kevin Shpunt, Connor Quinn and Colin Moller had fine floor games for the ‘Hawks.