Traditionally one of the top defensive teams in the South-West Conference Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team will again feed off its D and look to generate enough offense to come out on top as another winter on the hardwood begins.

“We are hoping to compete for an SWC Championship and a deep run in states. We need to be well-conditioned and dominate on the defensive end. Offensively, we need to move to open spots and create,” said Coach Jeremy O’Connell, whose lineups tend to play a fast pace as they look to wear down the competition over the course of a given matchup.

“We are deep at all positions this year,” O’Connell said. “If we can be in great shape, the depth is only going to help us throughout the season.”

After all, assuming the Hawks can keep up the tempo their depth will come in especially handy as players get much-needed in-game breaks.

Another thing that stands to help Newtown this season, in the team’s quest for playoff success, is the schedule.

“We try to play the toughest nonleague schedule we can to prepare for the playoffs. The SWC is a grind, and we like the challenge of adding to that,” said O’Connell, whose team will face Norwich Free Academy, Cromwell, West Haven, and Danbury in out-of-SWC battles.

In conference the toughest foes stand to include Masuk of Monroe, Bethel, Immaculate of Danbury, Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport, and Notre Dame-Fairfield. Last year the Hawks went 16-4 overall, earned the SWC’s No. 5 seed and fell to Kolbe in the quarterfinals; they were the No. 10 seed in the state bracket and reached the second round of the Class LL State Tournament.

Newtown’s captains are guard Moira Murphy, guard/forward Ava Rochester, and Jenna Lagan (sidelined with an injury).

Rochester averaged seven points and six rebounds. Also back in the fold is junior guard Samantha Diaspro, who put up nine points and four assists per night. Sophomore guard Ana Morris, junior forward Addy Cordova, sophomore center Cassie Pickering, junior center Ava Lombardo, and junior forward Macey Arcario all return with some varsity experience under their belts.

Newtown will have to overcome graduation of a trio of seniors led by Izzy Caron, but have plenty of experience back.

The season tips off Friday, December 13, when Bassick of Bridgeport visits at 5:30 pm. Newtown goes to Danbury Tuesday, December 17 at 6, is home Wednesday, December 18 to play East Lyme at 7, and visits Cromwell Friday, December 20, also at 7. The team is then off from game action until after the New Year when SWC action begins. Defending conference champ New Milford comes to town Friday, January 3 at 5:30 pm.

“Looking forward to coming together and continuing the tradition here at NHS,” O’Connell said.

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