By Kim J. Harmon

Do you need a sign that the winter sports season at Newtown High School could end up being better – or, at least, more productive – than it has been in years?

Well, the boys’ basketball team is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2002-03 … the girls’ basketball team is off to a 3-1 start with an overtime win over archrival Masuk … the swim team is off to a 1-1 start with a strong showing against powerhouse Pomperaug … and the wrestling team had a very strong third-place finish at the Guilford Tournament with three wrestlers boasting undefeated records.

Those are some signs.

Very good signs.

WRESTLING

Masuk 36, Newtown 35

3rd at Guilford Tournament

All captain Bryant Aliaga needed was a pin in the final match of the night and the Newtown High School wrestling team would escape Monroe with a season-opening win.

But that pin was elusive and although Aliaga earned a 12-6 win over Scott Christy in the 189-pound weight class, the three points Aliaga garnered was not enough to lift the Nighthawks past the Panthers and the locals suffered a disappointing 36-35 loss.

A few days later, though, the ‘Hawks picked themselves up with a strong third-place finish at the annual Guilford Tournament. The locals – even without a wrestler in the 112-pound division – accomplished that because John Gouveia (119), Dana Van Buskirk (125) and Jagi Gyamacho (152) each won three matches and took first place in their weight classes.

Meanwhile, Mark Bonamici (130) finished second and Joel Minalgo (215) finished fourth to give the locals five ribbons on the day.

Teams from New York captured first and second and the ‘Hawks bested CIAC Class L defending champion Fairfield Warde for third.

Showing the innate toughness of the team, Brain Kuruc suffered a broken arm in his first match and showed a lot of courage and grit when he remained calm and relaxed as paramedics reset his arm and brought him to the hospital.

The ‘Hawks had been hoping to open the South-West Conference schedule with a win over Masuk, but climbing out of an early 18-3 hole proved too daunting. Minalgo opened with a 20-15 win over Cody Hoskins at 215 pounds, but two pins and a forfeit in the next three classes found the locals in a 15-point hole.

Gouveia earned a technical fall over Matthew Flader at 119 while Van Buskirk pinned Ken Duclos at 125 to get the ‘Hawks back in the match – briefly. A pair of decisions and a pin in the next three classes had the ‘Hawks back in a 16-point hole, 30-14, with five matches to go.

Chris Salvatore and Gyamacho earned pins at 145 and 152 pounds and Kenny Cardelle added a pin at 171 pounds to pull the ‘Hawks to within four. A pin in the final match would give the ‘Hawks six points and hand them the win, but Aliaga was unable to get Christy onto his back long enough for the win.

The locals were at Weston on Wednesday night to take on the Joel Barlow-Weston co-op and won’t return to the mat until next Wednesday when they host Immaculate in a 10 am match. On Saturday, December 30, the ‘Hawks will be at the Danbury Tournament.

Masuk 36, Newtown 35

215 – Joel Minalgo (N) dec. Cody Hoskins 20-15 (3-0); 285 – Paul Fenaroli (M) pin Thaddeus Adams 1:00 (3-6); 103 – Dillon Alterio (M) pin Tyler Reszoly 1:31 (3-12); 112 – Kenny Pancost (M) forfeit (3-18); 119 – John Gouveia (N) tech. fall over Matthew Flader (8-18); 125 – Dana Van Buskirk (N) pin Ken Duclos 3:20 (14-18); 130 – Zach Flashman (M) dec. Mark Bonamici 8-4 (14-21); 135 – Ryan Kuska (M) dec. Andrew Kemetetz 7-6 (14-24); 140 – Micah Flashman (M) pin Mitch Rucinski 2:26 (14-30); 145 – Chris Salvatore (N) pin Matt Niski 3:17 (20-30); 152 – Jagi Gyamacho (N) pin Branden Kennedy 3:23 (26-30); 160 – Ryan Matthews (M) pin Chris Marks 3:01 (26-36); 171 – Kenny Cardelle (N) pin Stephen Sederquest 3:55 (32-36); 189 – Bryant Aliaga (N) dec. Scott Christy 12-6 (35-36).

BOYS BASKETBALL

Newtown 61, Masuk 58

Newtown 68, Kaynor Tech 34

Newtown 56, Bunnell 51

For those who couldn’t imagine the prospect of the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team – which finished just 4-16 a year ago – opening the season at 3-0, it was simply a matter of waiting for the Nighthawks to take a tumble.

It was inevitable, wasn’t it?

And that tumble seemed to come in the first period on Tuesday night in Stratford when the ‘Hawks found themselves down 12-2 to Bunnell … with that first basket coming after 5:03 had already elapsed. But the locals slowly inched their way back into the game, taking early advantage of their opportunities at the foul line and some poor ballhandling by the Bulldogs and eventually earned a 56-51 win to improve to 3-0.

“We definitely had high hopes for this year,” said senior center Mike Kennedy, who scored nine points on the night, “so we’re not terribly surprised at being 3-0. But we knew Bunnell would be a real tough game for us.”

The ‘Hawks looked small in comparison to the ‘Dogs, but Kennedy and senior forward Shaun Coakley put together a tremendous effort down low. Coakley, in fact, has seen sparse minutes in his varsity time but – with six points, 11 rebounds, and a strong presence under the basket – turned in the best performance of his career.

Junior Kevin Troy seemed to hit his stride, too, for the first time this year with 20 points and a pair of three-point buckets. Off the bench, sophomore guard Jake DeVellis tossed in 11 points and Joe DeVellis added six.

The locals took their first lead with 15 seconds left in the first half after Mike Maher made a steal and half court and dished to Jake DeVellis for the basket. The ‘Dogs quickly answered, though, to take a 21-20 lead into the break.

The ‘Hawks went up as much as seven points in the third after Joe DeVellis dropped in a three-pointer, but Bunnell worked its way back into the game and eventually tied it up, 45-45, with less than five minutes left to play. Troy then scored a couple of baskets to put the locals back up by five, but the ‘Dogs inched back to within one, 52-51, with 2:12 left to play.

That would be as close as Bunnell would get. Troy hit a runner in the lane and Jake DeVellis hit a pair of free throws on two trip to the line with less than 40 seconds left to give the locals their narrow margin of victory.

The ‘Hawks survived another poor performance at the free throw line. After hitting just 9-of-27 tries in the game, the ‘Hawks are now shooting just 44.6% from the stripe on the season.

Despite shooting 9-of-19 from the line – and missing their final six tries of the evening – the ‘Hawks survived a 61-58 season opening win over Masuk last week. Kennedy had a terrific night, scoring 20 points with 12 rebounds and five blocks. Jake DeVellis tossed in 10 points while Tucker Kass added nine more.

Free throw shooting wasn’t an issue against Kaynor Tech since the ‘Hawks rolled to a 68-34 win. Kennedy, Troy and Joe DeVellis scored 13 points each and Jake DeVellis added another 10. Coakley contributed six points.

The locals will be in Bethel on Friday night and next week will host the Newtown Holiday Tournament. The ‘Hawks will take on Ridgefield Tuesday night at 8 pm (Weston and Staples will play at 6 pm) with the consolation and championship game to follow on Friday, December 29.

Newtown 56, Bunnell 51

NEWTOWN (56): Mike Kennedy 3 3-9 9, Tucker Kass 0 0-0 0, Dan Smith 1 0-1 2, Jack Quinn 0 0-1 0, Kevin Troy 7 0-4 20, Jason Smith 1 0-0 2, Mike Maher 0 0-0 0, Jake DeVellis 3 5-7 11, Shaun Coakley 3 0-0 6, Joe DeVellis 2 1-5 6. TOTALS: 20 9-27 56.

BUNNELL (51): Danny Paloini 0 0-0 0, Matt Wotiziki 2 2-2 6, Taylor Lasko 3 0-0 9, Mark Harrison 6 1-5 13, Ryan Butler 5 3-3 12, Jeff Farrell 0 2-2 2, Tarrell Coward 4 1-4 9. TOTALS: 20 9-16 51.

Three-pointers: Taylor Lasko (B) 3, Kevin Troy (N) 2, Joe DeVellis (N), Tarrell Butler (B).

 

Newtown 68, Kaynor Tech 34

NEWTOWN (68): Mike Kennedy 4 5-9 13, Tucker Kass 1 0-0 2, Dan Smith 1 0-0 3, Jack Quinn 0 3-4 3, Kevin Troy 3 7-11 13, Jason Smith 1 0-0 3, Mike Maher 0 0-0 0, Jake DeVellis 5 0-1 10, Shaun Coakley 3 0-0 6, Joey DeVellis 4 0-0 13. TOTALS: 22 15-27 68.

KAYNOR TECH (34): Mark Spellman 4 2-6 10, Cedric Stevenson 1 0-4 2, Elliot Ward 5 3-8 13, Branden Andrews 1 0-0 2, John Godfrey 0 1-3 1, Jason Craig 1 1-4 3, Billy Maisto 0 1-2 1, Samuel Claude 0 1-3 1. TOTALS: 12 9-30 34.

Three-pointers: Joe DeVellis (N) 3, Dan Smith (N), Jason Smith (N).

 

Newtown 61, Masuk 58

MASUK (58): Corey Simmons 2 0-0 6, Steve Zazuri 7 5-7 20, Vic Ciancetta 0 0-0 0, Ted Hurvul 5 3-4 18, Tom Ramblius 3 2-3 10, Zach Davies 0 0-0 0, Rich Gallante 1 2-2 4, Eric Green 0 0-0 0, Casey McDermott 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 12-16 58.

NEWTOWN (61): Mike Kennedy 8 4-4 20, Tucker Kass 4 1-2 9, Dan Smith 2 1-4 5, Jack Quinn 0 0-0 0, Kevin Troy 3 1-4 7, Jason Smith 0 1-2 1, Mike Maher 0 0-0 0, Jake DeVellis 5 0-0 10, Shawn Coakley 1 1-3 2, Joe DeVellis 3 1-3 7. TOTALS: 26 9-19 61.

Three-pointers: Hurvul (M) 5, Simmons (M) 2, Ramblius (M) 2, Zazuri (M).

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Pomperaug 52, Newtown 41

Newtown 46, Masuk 37

All the good karma the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team built up in season-opening wins over Bethel and Joel Barlow during the Newtown Tip-Off Tournament two weeks ago seemed suffer a stinging blow when the Lady Nighthawks were swamped by Pomperaug, 52-41.

Not only did the ‘Hawks drop their first loss of the season, but starting co-captain Darcy Fiscella was knocked out of the game with a dislocated thumb that could potentially keep her off the floor until February.

That bit of adversity did little to slow the locals down, however.

On Tuesday night, the girls jumped out to a big early lead and then held on to defeat arch-rival Masuk, 46-37, in overtime to improve to 3-1 on the season. Nora Lynn Shimko, Jen Brewer and Brittany Papaj filled the gap left by Fiscella’s absence and performed well despite accounting for only one points all told.

After an off night against Pomperaug, Morgan Knees canned 16 points and was 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Christie Iwanicki added 19 points and went 5-of-6 from the free throw line. For the game, the ‘Hawks – who had been hovering at 50% from the free throw line through their first three games – shot 21-of-26 to overcome the Lady Panthers.

Katie Condon tossed in eight points and Kristi Nowak added four.

In the loss to Pomperaug, Iwanicki scored 15 points and was 5-of-6 from the free throw line in a rough-and-tumble game. Knees added 14 points while Nowak tallied five points. Despite the physical nature of the game, only 23 free throws were attempted all night.

The ‘Hawks will visit Bunnell on Friday before traveling to Bridgeport Central next Wednesday with a vacation-week tip-off of 3 pm.

Pomperaug 52, Newtown 41

POMPERAUG (52): Carla Zinno 3 0-0 6, Lauren Atkinson 3 0-0 8, Kasey Dean 5 2-2 13, Amanda Short 4 0-1 9, Katie Cizynski 6 2-5 14, Lisa Cates 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 22 4-8 52.

NEWTOWN (41): Jen Brewer 0 0-0 0, Christie Iwanicki 5 5-6 15, Nora Lynn Shimko 1 0-0 3, Darcy Fiscella 1 0-0 2, Kristi Nowak 2 1-6 5, Morgan Knees 6 2-3 14, Katie Condon 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 16 8-15 41.

Three-pointers: Shimko (N), Atkinson (P), Dean (P), Short (P).

Newtown 46, Masuk 37

NEWTOWN (46): Jen Brewer 0 0-0 0, Jordyn Good 0 0-0 0, Christie Iwanicki 5 5-6 19, Nora Lynn Shimko 0 1-2 1, Kristi Nowak 2 0-4 4, Morgan Knees 3 10-11 16, Katie Condon 2 3-4 8, Brittney Papaj 0 0-1 0. TOTALS: 12 21-26 46.

MASUK (37): Katie Stock 2 1-2 5, Melissa Allen 1 1-2 3, Kanika Cummings 3 1-4 7, Meagan Crouch 2 0-0 5, Kelsey Johnson 3 1-2 7, Markie Chalfant 0 0-0 0, Karen Borrs 5 0-0 10. TOTALS: 16 4-10 37.

Three-pointers: Iwanicki (N) 2 Condon (N) Crouch (M).

SWIMMING

Newtown 99, New Milford 66

Pomperaug 104, Newtown 79

It was a particularly good day for freshman Alex Kron, but not so much so for the Newtown High School swim team.

Kron was a double winner in the 200 freestyle (1:54.58) and 500 freestyle (5:11.36), but the Nighthawks were swamped, 104-79, by powerhouse Pomperaug to drop to 1-1 on the year.

Kron won the 200 free by a healthy three seconds, but had just .61 seconds of breathing room in the 500 free.

Junior Anthony Fiore won the 100 backstroke in 59.04 and junior Stefan Toi grabbed a pair of second-place finishes in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly.

The ‘Hawks had opened the 2006-07 season with a 99-66 win over New Milford last week before running into Pomperaug.

In that meet, Fiore (200 free), Kron (200 individual medley), Luke Fiore (50 freestyle), Marissa Bobkowski (diving), Nick Maurer (100 butterfly), Toi (100 freestyle), Matt Iassogna (500 freestyle), Wesley Hood (100 backstroke) and Allen Hubbard (100 breaststroke) were all individual winners as the ‘Hawks captured first in all 13 events.

The locals won’t be returning to the pool until Wednesday, January 3, when they host Bethel in a 4 pm meet.

 

Newtown 99, New Milford 66

200 medley relay – Newtown (Kron, Hubbard, Toi, L. Fiore) 1:52.94, 2. Newtown (Hood, Stein, Maurer, Bonaccorso) 1:58.94, 3. New Milford 2:01.31. 200 freestyle – 1. A. Fiore (N) 1:56.69, 2. Karadinias (NM) 2:02.88, 3. Iassogna (N) 2:06.59, 4. J. O’Connor (N) 2:13.53. 200 individual medley – 1. Kron (N) 2:17.62, 2. Hood (N) 2:19.09, 3. T. Fragoso (N) 2:31.90, 4. DiGiacomo (NM) 2:33.94, 5. Calvey (NM) 2:36.22. 50 freestyle – 1. L. Fiore (N) 24.75, 2. Bonaccorso (N) 25.31, 3. Anderson (NM) 26.27, 4. Herring (N) 26.34, 5. Clark (NM) 29.93. Diving – 1. Bobkowski (N) 114.9 points, 2. Bierce (N) 101.18 points, 3. Jagoe (N) 92.33 points. 100 butterfly – 1. Maurer (N) 1:01.09, 2. C. Fragoso (N) 1:04.62, 3. K. O’Connor (N) 1:07.09, 4. DiGiacomo (NM) 1:10.04. 100 freestyle – 1. Toi (N) 51.88, 2. Herring (N) 57.96, 3. Anderson (NM) 58.13, 4. Rothacker (N) 1:00.06, 5. Brosseau (N) 1:19.52. 500 freestyle – 1. Iassogna (N) 5:35.71, 2. J. O’Connor (N) 5:59.97, 3. Crevier (N) 7:01.66, 4. Clark (NM) 7:09.63, 5. Golino (NM) 7:20.70. *200 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (Bonaccorso, Rothacker, A. Fiore, Herring) 1:42.80, 2. Newtown (Pisacreta, Swink, C. Fragoso, Waterhouse) 2:01.50, 3. New Milford 2:03.05. 100 backstroke – 1. Hood (N) 1:00.80, 2. Calvey (NM), 3. T. Fragoso (N) 1:07.93, 4. L. Fiore (N) 1:09.02, 5. Karadinias (NM) 1:09.80. 100 breaststroke – 1. Hubbard (N) 1:13.35, 2. Stein (N) 1:17.63, 3. Tierno (NM) 1:19.18, 4. Dalmeyer (NM) 1:24.95, 5. Waterhouse (N) 1:37.31. 400 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (Maurer, J. O’Connor, Iassogna, Kron) 3:51.80, 2. New Milford 4:01.61, 3. Newtown (K. O’Connor, Rothacker, C. Fragoso, Bonaccorso) 4:05.92.

*Note: Newtown swam unofficially beginning with the 200 freestyle relay.

Pomperaug 104, Newtown 79

200 medley relay – 1. Pomperaug (Widman, Horn, Douglas, Strobel) 1:46.43, 2. Pomperaug (Machamara, Garrity, Bonwell, Ferrin) 1:48.86, 3. Newtown (A. Fiore, Toi, Maurer, L. Fiore) 1:48.92. 200 freestyle – 1. Kron (N) 1:54.58, 2. Papiro (P) 1:55:60, 3. Theleen (P) 1:57.26, 4. Lockovic (P) 1:57.56, 5. Fragoso (N) 2:05.91. 200 individual medley – 1. McNamara (P) 2:01:77, 2. Toi (N) 2:10.25, 3. Lauton (P) 2:13.57, 4. McTaggart (P) 2:13.88, 5. Hood (W) 2:15.20. 50 freestyle – 1. Smith (P) 23:25. 2. Roche (P) 24:20, 3. Widman (P) 24:43, 4. L. Fiore (N) 24.53, 5. Bonaccorso (N) 25.03. Diving – 1. Andrews (P) 218.50, 2. Meyer (P) 166.05, 3. Hann (P) 119.70, 4. Bierce (N) 118.35, 5. Bobkowski (N) 111.55. 100 butterfly – 1. McNamara (P) 55.66, 2. Toi (N) 57.79, 3. Banwell (P) 58.90, 4. Iassogna (N) 1:00.96, 5. Maurer (N) 1:01.04. 100 freestyle – 1. A. Fiore (N) 51.72. 2. Pomperaug, 3. L. Fiore (N) 53.46, 4. Pomperaug 53.62, 5. Pomperaug 54.33. 500 freestyle – Kron (N) 5:11.36, 2. Papiro (P) 5:11.97, 3. Cockove (P) 5:23.44, 4. Monroe (P) 5:28.25, 5. Rothacker (N) 6:10.74. 200 freestyle relay – 1. Pomperaug 1:33.22, 2. Pomperaug 1:39.14, 3. Newtown (Bonaccorso, Toi, L. Fiore) 1:39.45. 100 backstroke – 1. A. Fiore (N) 59:05, 2. Fayton (P) 1:00.64, 3. Hood (N) 1:01.3, 4. Widman (P) 1:02.18, 5. Hewitt (P) 1:02.45. 100 breaststroke – 1. Horn (P) 1:07.72, 2. Garrity (P) 1:09.33, 3. Hubbard (N) 1:11.77, 4. Dwyer (P) 1:12.57, 5. T. Fragoso (N) 1:13.22. 400 freestyle relay – 1. Pomperaug (Papiro, D. Theleen, McNarmara, Cockove) 3:35.63, 2. Pomperaug (S Theleen, Monico, Strobel, Roche) 3:41.06, 3. Newtown 3:41.47.