The ultimate goal to end the season is to raise a state championship banner. They say to be the best you've got to beat the best and Newtown High School's girls' basketball team certainly has made its presence felt from the get-go. The Nighthawks began their season by defeating two of last year's state champions: Class M winner Cromwell 54-46 on December 16, and Class LL champ Norwalk 40-25 two nights later, in the home opener.

"We play teams to get us ready for the long haul of the season and this is a good win for us," Newtown Coach Jeremy O'Connell said after the Norwalk game, which was not really as close as the final score indicates.

Newtown led 15-2 after one quarter of play and 28-6 at the half before withstanding a bit of a run by the Bears who got to within 13 points by the mid point of the fourth quarter but never really threatened.

The Nighthawks had two players with double-double performances. Juliette Cryder dropped in a career-high 14 points and had 11 rebounds. Amy Sapenter had a dozen points and a dozen rebounds to go along with a trio of assists.

Cyleigh Wilson had six points, Rebecca Alicea and Julia Gerace each had three, and Carlie Smith added two.

Wilson, Smith, Emma Magazu, and Shea Murphy each had two steals. Julia Gerace grabbed five rebounds.

"Every night we have kids stepping up, doing things, and I'm very proud of that," O'Connell said.

"The best part about it is our whole team doesn't feel like we played well," O'Connell said. You can tell we were not happy and that's what I love about this team."