By Steve Bigham

REDDING – Coach John Quinn was at a loss for words as he prepared to speak to his basketball team at halftime of its South-West Conference battled with Joel Barlow on Tuesday night in Redding.

His team, after all, held a 21-point lead over the Falcons and was doing just about everything right as it zeroed in on its 12th win of the year.

“At halftime, I said to (assistant coach) Jason Arnauckas, `what do I say?’ I mean we defended, we helped, we adjusted when we had to. We scored on the offense. We scored on the defense,” said coach Quinn. “I just told them to keep doing what they’re doing.”

And that’s what they did on their way to a convincing 75-54 win, the 12th victory in the last 13 games for the Nighthawks. It was Newtown’s third consecutive victory since falling to Bunnell in Stratford back on January 30.

With three games left, the Nighthawks have all but locked up the second seed for the eight-team South-West Conference playoffs later this month. At midweek, Newtown still trailed Immaculate by a half game in the standings for the second seed. However, the Mustangs, whose only league loss came against Newtown, still have to play Notre Dame of Fairfield and unbeaten Kolbe Cathedral.

This year’s Nighthawks are in the midst of what has been one of the most compelling stories in NHS boys’ basketball history. After opening the season 0-4, Newtown has put a bit of shock into the local basketball world. Boasting one of the most balanced starting lineups around and a bench filled with proven players, Newtown may be the best team in the area.

“I’ve looked over at Jason a few times this season and said `you know, we’re pretty good.’ Like almost in disbelief. I mean I believe it, but we just continue to impress us. We’ve just got to continue to keep it going,” Quinn said.

Before Tuesday’s win, Newtown (11-2 in the SWC, 12-5 overall) posted blowout wins over Bethel and Jonathan Law. Against Bethel at home February 7, the locals won easily, 82-56, then wiped out hapless Law of Milford, 88-42, on the road last Friday night.

For the Nighthawks the goal remains the same: win the final three games of the season and roll in to the league playoffs at 15-5. From there, it will likely face Masuk in the first round. From there, anything can happen and Newtown would surely like a crack at top-seeded Kolbe Cathedral in the championship game.

Weston will get a taste of what the Nighthawks have to offer Friday night as they come to town for a late-season league matchup. The Trojans come in with a record of 11-6 and still have a legitimate shot at the SWCs behind the sharp-shooting Mike Evans, one of the league’s top scorers.

Next week, Newtown travels to Brookfield for a non-league game on Monday before heading home to host Foran on Wednesday in the final regular season game. The playoffs begin a week from Saturday.

On Tuesday, Newtown’s balanced offensive attack was at it again as John Fiscella led four players in double digits with 16 points, all of which were scored in the first half. Newtown jumped out to a 48-27 halftime lead as it canned six three-pointers over the first two quarters. In the second half, Newtown got 19 points from its bench as it coasted to the win.

For the game, Josh Dittmar added 14, Mark DeFeo hit for 11 (nine in the fourth quarter) and Ryan Walker added 10. Incidentally, Fiscella has buried 11 three-pointers in the last three games, including seven-straight against Law. He buried four at Barlow.

Senior point guard Andrew Smith scored eight points and continued to show why he may be the league’s best point guard.

“His defense is outstanding. He just reinforces my opinion of him. I would not trade him for any point guard in the league and, what’s nice is other coaches are starting to recognize that. He’s just outstanding,” Quinn said.

DeFeo, a 6-3 junior, is emerging as one of the team’s best scorers, hitting for 27 points in limited action over the past three games.

“Every time he plays he gets better and he contributes defensively and offensively. He never makes a mistake. He’s always in the right place. It’s easy to coach that kid,” Quinn said.

Also emerging is junior Dan Murphy is appears to be back at full speed after missing the early part to the season with a back injury. The backup point guard scored 11 points against Law and will get key minutes down the stretch.

At Law, John Fiscella put on one of the most impressive performances of his fine varsity career, scoring 31 points in just three quarters. His seven-consecutive three’s may have been a school record. Oddly enough, Newtown trailed the Lawmen, 13-6, midway through the first quarter before going on a 70-16 run over the next two-and-a-half quarters. Smith added 12 points for the winners, Murphy scored 11, Andrew Fiscella had 10 and Jeff Wolcott and Mike Troy both chipped in with seven.

After an eight-day layoff, Newtown returned to the court last Wednesday to host Bethel, put the game away in the opening minutes and led 42-25 at the half. The Nighthawks put five different players in double figures: Ryan Walker (16), John Fiscella (15), DeFeo (14), Dittmar (12), and Smith (10).

NOTE: Newtown is averaging 78.3 points per game in its 12 wins and just 58 points in its five losses.