Despite having a completely new starting lineup, Tim Tallcouch, coach of the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team, isn’t worried about easing his players into fulltime varsity action. Case and point: A pair of nonconference games against FCIAC teams Fairfield Ludlowe and Stamford, which combined to win 29 regular-season games a year ago, to start the campaign.

Newtown lost 66-39 at Ludlowe in the season opener on December 21. The host Falcons had a decisive advantage in the paint, led by 6-foot-9 center Frank Lumaj, and the Nighthawks battled but couldn’t overcome Ludlowe’s strong shooting and that solid interior play.

“It’s not like we didn’t play hard. They hit their shots — we didn’t,” said Tallcouch, recognizing that the outcome could, in part, be attributed to his team’s youth and inexperience.

Newtown got 14 points from Joe Duero, who showed off his outside shooting range with four 3-pointers, ten points from Dillon Palumbo, and eight from Nevin Zink. Mason Melillo and Nicholas Weiland added four and three points, respectively. Palumbo had five rebounds, including four on the defensive end of the floor, and Duero came away with four steals. Newtown was 9-for-12 from the free throw line.

“The only way we’re going to get better is to play good competition,” Tallcouch said. “Let’s see if we can build upon this.”

The Nighthawks are scheduled to host Stamford on December 23, beginning at 7 pm. The Hawks will host South-West Conference foe Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport in the Wounded Warrior Holiday Tournament opener on Monday, December 28, beginning at 6 pm, and take on one of two FCIAC teams — Wilton, where Tallcouch previously coached, or Staples of Westport — in the tournament consolation or championship game two days later.

Wilton won 14 games last winter, and Staples earned eigth victories.

In addition to tangling with its tough SWC counterparts, the Hawks will also take on another traditionally strong FCIAC team that won 15 games a year ago in Norwalk. That game isn’t until January 9, when the Bears visit for a 2 pm battle. Before then, Newtown hosts conference rival Masuk, January 4, beginning at 7 pm.