By Kim J. Harmon

The Newtown Middle School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams had been blessed with some of the best, young talent in the area – like the incomparable Jake DeVellis and John Grimaldi on the boys’ side and Morgan Knees and Jordyn Good on the girls’ side – and both teams return to the court next week hoping to continue the success of last season.

The 2005-06 season opens on Thursday, December 22, at home in the Lions’ Den against nemesis Memorial Middle School of Middlebury.

BOYS

 

With DeVellis and Grimaldi now toiling in the Newtown High School program, the Lions and head coach Tom DeBenedetto – while perhaps gazing back fondly at an undefeated season in 2004-05 – will look to captains George Zaruba and Kyle Kromberg to carry the offensive load.

Zaruba can be an imposing presence in the middle, a big and strong player who moves well and has all the skills for a breakout year. Kromberg should be solid on both sides of the ball – a nice long range jumper make him a threat on offense while his speed and natural instincts make him a threat on defense.

Working with Zaruba on the inside will be Ralph Sergiovanni, Ben Mahony and John Fracker. Sergiovanni is a strong shooter with great size and has the potential to be an excellent defender. Mahony is aggressive with a strong inside game and Fracker used speed to work the ball inside.

Splitting time on the wins will be Peter Young, Kyle O’Connor and Robbie Phillips. Young is a great shooter and handles the ball well while Phillips and O’Connor are both aggressive on defense while possessing solid outside games.

At the shooting guard spot, Kevin O’Connell and Adam Buccino will spell Kromberg from time to time. Both are strong shooters and pass the ball effectively. And splitting time at the point will be Jeff DiNicola and Casey Tenney, both excellent shooters who can handle the ball well. DiNicola is capable of splitting defenses with his speed off the dribble while Tenney keeps defenses off balance with his passing and long range shooting.

Nicky Tarantino, Matt Baier and Shane White will share the managerial duties in the 2005-06 season.

GIRLS

 

Last year there were a few good weapons – a big center (Morgan Knees), a sharpshooting guard (Nora Lynn Shimko) and a wonderful post player (Jordyn Good) among them – but the Newtown Middle School girls’ basketball team still struggled at times.

First-year coach Will Ryan has plenty of weapons this year, too, and hopes to improve on the 7-6 campaign turned in last season.

He will look towards his four captains to get things started – Sara Kelley, Ally Modzelewski, Kait Marsden and Kate Bowen. All have plenty of travel basketball experience in their backgrounds and all have the skills to help the team succeed.

Bowen is a solid leader, a hard worker, and handles the ball well. Kelley is a great dribbler and may be the best offensive threat on the team.

Coach Ryan calls Marsden “our secret weapon down low,” since she plays aggressively on offense and defense. Modzelewski has the speed and plays with 110% effort all of the time.

They will be the leaders on the team and will set the tone so the rest of the team can contribute.

A bevy of potential weapons includes ...

Carolyn Fagan (center): A strong presence under the basket and a good rebounder who plays aggressive defense.

Katie Pessin (guard/forward): Adjusts well between positions, plays aggressively and works hard with a quiet demeanor.

Meghan Bridges (guard): A good dribbler who plays and practices with a smile.

Nicole Elias (forward): A strong rebounder that always seems to get open and create opportunities.

Lyndsey Burns (forward): Perhaps the top defensive player, she adjusts well between both forward positions.

Hannah Basch-Gould (forward): Aggressively posts in the forward position and talks more basketball than anyone.

Lisa Vendel (guard): Good ball skills with speed and runs the fastest “crabwalk” on the team.

Brittany Wiberg (center): Boxes out better than anyone to create scoring opportunities under the basket.

Handling the managerial duties will be Kaley Kruger (brings laughs to practice), Danielle Rubino (practices with the best hair) and Steph Suhoza (the “consultant,” helping the coach map out the strategy).