By Steve Bigham

When Tori Filler walks on to the basketball court, she puts on the kind of game face that tells you she means business. When it’s all said and done, however, this middle school eighth grader sheds her game face in favor of a smile that stretches from ear-to-ear.

Tori was all smiles Tuesday afternoon after her dominating performance led the Lions to a 49-28 home win over Rochambeau of Southbury. Wearing paint on her face from a pep rally earlier in the day, Filler tossed in 16 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as Newtown raised its record to 9-0.

“Tori is one of our most improved players. She didn’t just have a good game tonight. She plays like that every night,” noted Coach Bill Girard.

Julie Iwanicki added 10 points for the winners, while Kelley Haines, Erica Carino, Stephanie Logan and Trina Ramsdell each added four.

Logan pounded the glass for 20 boards.

Newtown’s most impressive performance of the season may have come last week when it rallied from an eight-point deficit for a 54-46 win over Memorial Middle School in Middlebury. Filler scored 10 points in the fourth quarter alone and Logan pulled down 16 rebounds for the game.

Kelley Haines and Iwanicki each scored 10 points, while Erin Murdoch tossed in seven and Erica Carino chipped with six.

Iwanicki registered six assists.

Girard singled out the play of co-captain Carino, who came up with several big plays down the stretch for the locals.

“What’s good about this team is if one player goes cold, somebody else is waiting in the wings to pick them up. I’ve got 10 starters on this team,” Girard said.

The Lions were slated to face Jockey Hollow in Monroe on Wednesday.