Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team opened the regular season with a grueling few games against Torrington, Wilton, and Staples of Westport, dropping all three but, the Nighthawks figure, they are only helping themselves in the long run.

“By playing quality teams it’s only going to make us better,” Coach Matt Murphy said following a 75-52 loss to Staples in the December 23 home opener.

Murphy pointed out that this is a great group of players that worked hard in the offseason, but a young group and that the team will see its efforts rewarded in the form of some wins as things unfold.

Newtown tipped off with a December 18 visit to Torrington and fell 73-52 as Aidan Walker scored 15 points, Drew Bradley had 14 and Luke Stewart nine. The Hawks 58-47 at Wilton two nights later with Bradley dropping in 25 and Walker scoring ten.

Things were close early in the Staples matchup with the Wreckers holding a 21-20 lead after one quarter and 34-25 advantage at halftime. But Staples broke it open with 29 points in the third to pull ahead 63-35 going to the fourth.

When all was said and done Bradley scored 13, Walker 12, Stewart seven, Asher Williams and Quinn Valez each six, and James Glynn five.

The Nighthawks return home Saturday, December 28, to take on Northwestern at 7:15 pm. After a Monday, December 30, visit to Darien at 1 pm the South-West Conference schedule kicks in with a Fri, January 3, road game with New Milford at 7 o’clock.

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