NHS Boys’ Basketball Team Wins Tip-Off Tourney

By Andy Hutchison

STRATFORD — Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team defeated Kaynor Tech of Waterbury 71-50 in the December 18 championship game of the South-West Conference Tip-Off Tournament at Bunnell High School.

The Nighthawks got off to a 2-0 start behind the efforts of tourney Most Valuable Player Dan Lynch who scored 20 points in the title game after Newtown knocked off Notre Dame-Fairfield 54-42 in the opening round of the tourney the day before.

Newtown Coach John Quinn said “2-0 is nice and winning a tip-off tournament against some pretty good competition is encouraging.”

Led by six seniors, the Nighthawks spread the scoring throughout the roster with only one player, Andy Lapple, registering double figures in the tourney opener.

Lapple had 10 points and Lynch and Casey Tenney both scored nine. All told, nine Nighthawks got on the score sheet in the season opener.

“We were confident when we came in here. At halftime we were down by one and we never got down on ourselves — just kept our heads up and kept going,” said Lapple, who was named to the All Tournament Team. “I think we have a good team this year.”

In the tourney opener, Newtown started just 4-of-11 at the free throw line and finished the game by making 15 of the last 18 foul shots to end the game 19-for-29 overall. Quinn said the early game woes from the charity stripe could have been attributed to adrenaline. He pointed out that the team shot well from the line in preseason scrimmages and was happy to see the players get back on track in the second half.

George Zaruba scored 7 points, sophomore newcomer Josh Barrett added 6 and Max Paynter had 5 and junior Josh Engler added 4 in the win over Notre Dame.

The Nighthawks trailed 26-25 at halftime and held the Lancers, who struck for 63 points in their consolation game win over Bunnell, to just 17 second half points

 “I’m real pleased with our defense,” said Quinn, adding that Zaruba, in particular, did a nice job of cutting down Notre Dame’s scoring chances with his tough play down low.

In the championship game, another nine Nighthawks got on the score sheet. Quinn points out that the deep Nighthawks have several players who can contribute and play key roles in the team’s success this winter.

Newtown, following Tuesday’s game with Pomperaug (after The Bee sports section went to press) is scheduled to visit Ridgefield on December 28.