Cohesion and athleticism are strengths of the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team, and Coach Tim Tallcouch is hopeful that those traits will help his team have some success as what stands to be a rigorous schedule unfolds this season.

“Every night’s going to be a challenge for us,” Tallcouch said.

The South-West Conference has plenty of tough teams, said the coach, reeling off the likes of Notre Dame-Fairfield, Joel Barlow of Redding, Weston, New Fairfield, New Milford, Stratford, and Bunnell of Stratford. “I think every night is a game. Somebody I forgot to mention is going to come back and beat me,” he said light-heartedly.

Likewise, Tallcouch believes his team will upset somebody along the way.

“I think we’ll surprise some people, but we’re going to have some growing pains,” said the coach, whose team lost five players from a year ago between graduates and players not returning.

The Nighthawks posted a 12-8 overall regular season record before falling in the first round of each the SWC and Class LL state playoffs.

Newtown is led by senior captains Jeremy Doski, Will Dalton, and Harry Depuy. Only Doski and fellow senior Charlie Huegi had a fair amount of playing time a year ago. The rest of the lineup is mostly — or completely — inexperienced at the varsity level.

“As far as varsity exposure we’re young, but the kids have been absolutely phenomenal as far as how hard they’re working,” Tallcouch said. “They have to learn how to win varsity games now.”

The coach said he’s liked what he’s seen in preseason practices and scrimmages, and adds that from what the players have shown in summer and fall leagues, they clearly possess some positive attributes: “Chemistry — the ability for this team to share the basketball. This group of kids enjoys playing together.”

And the coach says it’s a pleasure guiding them along the way. “It’s a joy to come to practice every day,” he said.

Among the players whom the coach expects big contributions from are senior Jacob Burden, juniors Dillon Palumbo, Joe Duero, and Mason Melillo, and sophomore Ben Mason.

The Nighthawks were scheduled to begin the season with a visit from New Fairfield on December 17. After a December 23 visit to Trumbull at 7 pm, Newtown takes on Staples of Westport in the opener of the Wilton Holiday Tournament at 5 pm on December 27. The Hawks will continue play in that tourney at a time to be determined on December 29. They’ll return home to face Torrington, at 6 pm on Saturday, January 3.