Newtown High School Winter Sports Previews

By Kim J. Harmon

Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once said, “Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal.” But what are the Newtown High School winter sports teams to do with all the myriad changes that have altered their worlds?

The boys’ basketball team was battered by graduation, losing four starters (including their three leading scorers). The girls’ basketball team suffered nearly as much, losing three starters (including its all-time leading scorer).

Despite all of that change, neither team may be all that worse off … but, of course, that still remains to be seen.

There are three new head coaches in the program. Matt Childs takes over the head coaching job on the pool deck (he was an assistant last year to Rory Perry); Shawn O’Brien takes over the girls on the basketball floor (he was an assistant last year to Tim Salem); and Dustin Zima takes over on the ice for departing coaches Ken Kantor and Paul Esposito.

Lots and lots of changes have re-shaped Newtown High School sports. But, remember, in the words of author Robert C. Gallagher, “Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.”

GIRLS BASKETBALL

20-5, SWC runners-up

How can a team lose its all-time scoring leader and still be considered one of the best teams in the South-West Conference?

Well, the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team started formulating an answer to that question – and to several others – when it opened the 2004-05 season Wednesday night at Lauralton Hall in Milford.

It’s not just the loss of Kelley Haines (1,274 career points) that changes things for the Lady Nighthawks. Two other starters (Stephanie Logan and Julie Iwanicki) and a strong off-the-bench role player (Tori Filler) have also been lost to graduation, leaving the ‘Hawks – under first-year coach Shawn O’Brien – with a fresh, new look.

“This is definitely a fresh start for us,” said senior captain Ashley LaRocque, the only returning starter and the program’s leading active scorer with 482 points. “Coach O’Brien is keeping a lot of the same things we ran last year for continuity, but at the same time we’re trying some new things.”

Last year most of the offense filtered through Haines (now at the University of New Hampshire), but her absence will allow coach O’Brien to utilize the offensive ability of just about everyone on the floor. LaRocque is a pure shooter who could play two or three positions in any given game and with the return of Meghan Kelley (a Connecticut Starters AAU Top 100 All Star) provides the ‘Hawks with a very strong outside shooting combo.

Then there is sophomore guard/forward Kristi Nowak (also a Connecticut Starters AAU All Star), who was expected to make an impact last year before missing the entire season with a back injury. Nowak may be a bit of a wildcard, but coach O’Brien could find himself with three tremendous perimeter shooters.

Guards Ciara Simek, Christie Iwanicki, Carly Curran and Darcy Fiscella return with experience in the backcourt and all can handle the ball … giving coach O’Brien a lot of flexibility and depth on the bench. Senior forward Siobhan Cooper also returns with a lot of experience, giving the ‘Hawks a big presence down low with along with senior center Katie O’Connor, who has the potential to dominate in the South-West Conference.

Junior Kacy Foehrenbach and sophomores Amy Kelley and Jill Logan add depth to the bench. And in the future (maybe as early as this year), look out for Morgan Knees, Jennifer Mariani, Jennifer Greenwood, Kelly Tenney and Katie Condon.

Lots of these players have AAU experience and with the offense opening itself up to all the positions in 2004-05, a lot of them could be making significant contributions this season.

 “I am optimistic about our chances this year,” said coach O’Brien, “but we did lose four seniors and another starter who did not come out for the team. However, we do have an All-Division player in Ashley LaRocque along with seniors Siobhan Cooper and Katie O’Connor back along with Meghan Kelly. And we also we return a junior varsity team that went 19-1. Our goals are to reach the state and SWC tournaments and I feel like we can progress and get better as the season goes on.”

Schedule –

December 8 at Lauralton Hall, 7 pm; December 10 versus Notre Dame, 7 pm; December 13 versus Wilton, 7 pm; December 16 at Kolbe Cathedral, 7 pm; December 22 at Notre Dame, 8 pm; December 28 at Masuk Holiday Tournament (versus Brien McMahon), 6 pm; December 30 at Masuk Holiday Tournament, TBA; January 3 at Immaculate, 7 pm; January 7 versus Weston, 7 pm; January 11 at Pomperaug, 7 pm; January 14 versus New Milford, 7 pm; January 18 at New Fairfield, 7 pm; January 21 versus Joel Barlow, 7 pm; January 25 at Bunnell, 5:15 pm; January 28 versus Kolbe Cathedral, 7 pm; February 1 at Brookfield, 7 pm; February 8 versus Masuk, 7 pm; February 11 at Bethel, 7 pm; February 14 versus Stratford, 7:30 pm; February 16 versus Lauralton Hall, 7:30 pm.

BOYS BASKETBALL

15-8, SWC semifinals

There is a huge void on the court for the Newtown High School boys’ basketball team and the $64,000 question is how is head coach John Quinn going to fill it?

More than 80% of the total offense from a year ago has departed and most of that in the form of the Nighthawks’ three leading scorers – Andrew Fiscella (517 points), Dave Anderson (369) and Ronnie Shimko (234). Add to that the assorted points (not to mention the general all-around efforts) of Brian Smith, Devon Manfredonia and John Oliver and it is clear that the ‘Hawks have some issues.

“Every year is different and every year different kids bring different things to the table,” said coach Quinn. “We’re very fast, very strong and very good defensively. Plus, we have a lot of size.”

The ‘Hawks return a couple of key starters – Josh Rouse (a newcomer to the floor last winter who provided the ‘Hawks with a major presence down in the blocks) and Marcus Tracy (a slashing guard with the speed to run the floor and cut to the basket). Rouse will team up with senior transfer Brennan Coakley (6-5 and 240 pounds) to provide a massive presence down low while Tracy will hook up with sophomore Joe DeVellis to provide a dynamic back court duo.

But who is going to score?

“We’re going to have to win with defense,” coach Quinn admitted, “and by keeping the score low. But we have a good, athletic presence down low and some great players in the backcourt. Marcus – God love him – will be one of the top players in this conference.”

Coach Quinn will have to look to returning players like seniors Anthony Santella, Kevin Quinn, Kyle Lyddy and Adam Drummond and junior Dave McLaughlin to step up and carry some of the slack left over from that wave of graduation departures.

Quinn and Santella saw the most minutes out of that group, appearing in 20 games each, while Lyddy, McLaughlin and Drummond saw sporadic minutes. Santella was the only one, though, to average more than a point a game.

Now the floor is theirs.

“This is a nice group of kids,” said coach Quinn. “Practice has been competitive and fast and we’re really progressing.”

Coach Quinn also likes the potential of sophomore Ryan McGrath and freshman Kevin Troy (the younger brother of former sharpshooter Mike Troy), both of whom have displayed some nifty outside shots.

The ‘Hawks will be under the gun almost from the opening tip, though, as they face Bridgeport Central on December 23 – the first game in a tough, non-league schedule.

The whole schedule –

December 20 at Immaculate, 7 pm; December 23 versus Bridgeport Central, 7 pm; December 27 at Weston Christmas Classic (Ridgefield), 6 pm; December 29 at Weston Christmas Classic, TBA; January 4 at Bunnell, 7 pm; January 7 at Weston, 7 pm; January 11 versus Pomperaug, 7 pm; January 14 at New Milford, 7 pm; January 18 versus New Fairfield, 7 pm; January 21 at Joel Barlow, 7 pm; January 25 versus Bunnell, 5:45 pm; January 28 at Kolbe Cathedral, 7 pm; February 1 versus Brookfield, 7 pm; February 4 at Kaynor Tech, 7 pm; February 8 at Masuk, 7 pm; February 11 versus Bethel, 7 pm; February 16 at Stratford (Bunnell), 7:30 pm; February 18 versus Norwich Free Academy, 7 pm; February 21 versus Notre Dame, 7 pm; February 23 versus Immaculate, 7 pm.

WRESTLING

14-12, 5th at SWCs

The numbers have dwindled a little bit from last year, but with a core of six returning seniors the Newtown High School wrestling team is looking forward to – potentially – it’s best season in several years.

“All of our returning seniors are four-year wrestlers – which is HUGE,” said seventh-year head coach Al Potter, who once again took his team to off-season camp in Virginia. “So we’re enjoying this non-rebuilding year.”

Steve Giacolone, Justin Bass, Alex Read, Mike Rambone, Brandon Thomas and Skye Perry will provide the Nighthawks with all that senior leadership – not to mention a very solid lineup in the middle of the rotation.

While the ‘Hawks may give up the heavyweight class, the rest of the classes will be filled with experienced wrestlers.

“We hope to be in the top three in the South-West Conference,” said coach Potter. “It’s always challenging to get through the season with the team intact, but we’re confident we will be in contention (for SWCs).”

The ‘Hawks finished 14-12 a year ago (7-5 in the SWC) after opening 11-6, but they closed out the regular season with a tough win over rival Brookfield before finishing fifth at the SWCs and 17th at the CIAC Class L state championships.

And they are fixated in 2004-05 to improving all of those numbers.

The full senior contingent includes Justin Bass, Steve Giacolone, Bob Pattison, Skye Perry, Ryan Peters, Mike Rambone, Alex Read and Brandon Thomas. Juniors include Gary Andrews, Jeff Lipnick, Colin O’Connor, Ben Snyder and Kim Solheim.

Sophomores include Bryant Aliaga, Kenny Cardelle, Brian Cullinan, Teddy Gissen, Andrew Husvar, Anthony Klabonski, Andrew Kmetetz, John Monaco and Mubaraq von Schleusinger. The freshmen include Dana Van Buskirk, Mark Bonamici, Jagi Enkhbaatan, Kris Kling, Matt Kuruc, Joel Minalgo, Brett Cloak-Gentile and Zachary Klein.

Schedule –

December 15 at Bunnell, 7 pm; December 18 at Guilford Tournament, 9 am; December 22 at Masuk, 7 pm; December 27 at Nonnewaug JV Tournament, TBA; December 29 versus Pomperaug, 10 am; December 30 at Danbury Tournament, 9 am; January 5 at Stratford, 7 pm; January 8 at Maloney (Spartan Duals), 10 am; January 12 versus Bethel, 7 pm; January 15 versus Brien McMahon and Thomaston, 11 am; January 19 versus Brookfield, 7 pm; January 22 at Morgan Duals, 9 am; January 26 versus New Milford, 6 pm; January 29 at Newington, New Britain, Fairfield Prep and Conard, 10 am; February 2 at New Fairfield, 7 pm; February 5 at Staples and Platt, 11 am; February 9 at Weston, 7 pm.

SWIMMING

6-4, 4th at SWCs

A lot of speed and a lot of depth has first-year head coach Matt Childs very hopeful that this winter could be a successful one for the Newtown High School swim team.

“This group of athletes,” he said, “has a legitimate shot at breaking four or five school records and qualifying for the State Open in a number of events … which we have not done for some time. Bryan Lacouture also has to be considered a contender for the SWC diving crown – as well as a State Open finalist.”

Coach Childs has a strong senior class to lean on with Andy Heller, Chris Jacob, Lacouture and Dave LaMarche. Heller, Jacob and LaMarche will anchor a fast front line while Lacouture and senior Britta Cedergren will lead a diving contingent expected to be among the best in the SWC.

Seniors Jake Maher, Dave Modzelewski and PJ O’Dell return with a lot of experience in the pool.

“As a team,” coach Childs said, “we look forward to competing in our dual meet season against some high caliber competition in the SWC – and that will prepare us for the SWC championships and states.  Throughout the year we will be focusing on our team improving each week leading into our championship season, so we will be prepared to meet our high expectations.”

Juniors include Max Barrett and Scott Whalley while sophomores include Alex Albritton, Jeff Bonaccorso, Adam Currier, Taylor Mammen, Nick Maurer, Mike Parker, Joe Pisacreta, Dave Athoecker and Ali Swink. A large freshman class includes Anthony Fiore, Chris Fragoso, Kevin Herring, Brad Howe, Allen Hubbard, Andy Kirner, Tim Kutt, Rob Morlath, James O’Connor, Erik Randlov, John Tita and Stefan Toi.

The schedule –

December 15 versus Masuk, 4 pm; December 21 versus New Milford, 4 pm; January 4 versus Pomperaug, 4 pm; January 7 at Shepaug, 7 pm; January 11 versus Bethel, 4 pm; January 18 at Bunnell/Stratford, 6 pm; January 25 versus Brookfield, 4 pm; February 1 at Weston, 4 pm; February 8 versus New Fairfield, 7 pm; February 18 versus Staples, 4 pm.

HOCKEY

5-15-1, SWC semifinals

A new coach, a new system and lots of skaters – it all adds up to a great opportunity for the Newtown High School hockey team to bounce back from a disappointing 5-15-1 (4-7-1 in the SWC) campaign.

“With hard work, a new system, and the boys’ work ethic I feel we can rebound from last season,” said first-year coach Dustin Zima. “My goal is to make Newtown competitive in the SWC and to help build and establish Newtown as a presence in varsity boys hockey.”

Despite the loss of a solid player in Harry Kass (3-18-21 in his career), coach Zima has a good foundation to start with as the program’s three leading active scorers – seniors Sean LaPorta (44-17-61, second all-time in goals scored and second all-time in total points), Blaise LaPorta (16-15-31) and Corey Regensburger (10-18-28) – return to the ice.

The LaPortas will captain the team.

Coach Zima is also pretty set in between the pipes, with junior and three-year starter Pete Oggeri returning. He will be backed up by junior Michael Jurasek, who received some valuable ice time last year and saw a lot of pucks flying his way.

Other key returnees (all of whom scored at least a point last year) are senior Nick Magoulas (4-1-5 last year, his first as a skater and not a goalie), sophomore Travis Speer (2-4-6), Pat Daly (1-1-2) and Justin Pacheco (0-1-1).

Despite the record, the ‘Hawks kept things competitive throughout the season. They defeated Joel Barlow and Masuk to open the campaign before dropping the next three. After a 2-1 win over Division I Milford back on January 7 of 2004, the ‘Hawks were 4-5-0 and in the hunt for a CIAC Division II playoff berth.

They won just once the rest of the way, a 4-2 decision over Housatonic Valley Regional on January 21. But with a 4-7-1 SWC record, the ‘Hawks did qualify for the SWC Division II tournament and later dropped an 8-4 decision to Bethel.

Now, coach Zima’s goals are even loftier than returning the ‘Hawks to the SWC tournament and reaching the CIAC Division II state tournament.

“Ideally,” he said, “I would like to elevate my athletes’ ability to play the game so they can move onto a higher level in college.”

He is determined and, no doubt, so are the rest of the ‘Hawks.

The only other senior is David Haladjian. Juniors include Stephen Borchetta, Joseph Brewer, Mike Conroy, Kevin Jurasek and TJ Mueller. Sophomores include Zach D’Agostino, PJ Horoszko and Chris Kraft. Freshmen include Blake Bell, Dan Burns, Braeden Conlan, Peter Griffiths, Graham Moller, Francis Oggeri and James Hilton.

The schedule –

December 8 at Sheehan (Choate Rink), 8 pm; December 11 at Masuk (Shelton), 8:30 pm; December 15 at Hand (Northford), 8:30 pm; December 18 at East Lyme (Norwich), TBA; December 22 versus New Milford, 4 pm; December 27 versus Shelton, 4:40 pm; December 29 at New Milford (Canterbury), 8 pm; January 5 versus Milford, 8:20 pm; January 8 at Immaculate (Danbury), 4:30 pm; January 15 versus Joel Barlow, 3:50 pm; January 19 at New Fairfield (Danbury), 5:30 pm; January 22 at Milford (Milford), 8 pm; January 26 versus Housatonic, 4:10 pm; January 29 versus New Fairfield, 11:30 am; February 2 at Fairfield (Bridgeport), 8:15 pm; February 5 versus Masuk, 3:50 pm; February 9 at Joel Barlow, (Danbury), 4 pm; February 12 at Bethel (Danbury), 3:50 pm; February 16 versus Watertown, 5 pm; February 19 versus Bethel, 3:50 pm.

INDOOR TRACK

Boys 5th, Girls 7th at SWCs

The Newtown High School indoor track program has problems … BIG problems.

For example, how in heaven’s name is head coach Dave Foss going to ship his coaching staff and some 120 athletes to all those developmental meets (never mind getting them all in the meets) and the South-West Conference championships next February?

To tell the truth, that isn’t really a problem at all. In fact, the overwhelming turnout this winter has given the girls’ and boys’ indoor track teams a real opportunity to compete for their respective SWC titles.

“The numbers change things,” coach Foss said. “They basically vault us into contention because there is a lot of talent there … especially for the girls.”

The girls (who number about 80) finished seventh at the SWC championships a year ago, but that was a major improvement over their performance the previous year. This year, with the majority of the SWC championship cross country team out, there is a strong core to work with.

Moira Collier, Michelle Brennan and Sadie Ball – three of Newtown’s top finishers at the cross country championships – will anchor the distance events. Quincey Blanchard will return to the long jump and high jump pits while Julie Landin, Leah Herity and Colleen Thornberg will demonstrate their speed in the sprints.

Herity will also be a major force in the pole vault.

Blanchard, Herity, Caitlin Thursland and Katie Fullman – all seniors – will captain the team and will provide the foundation along with key returnees Noora Mielikainen, Melissa Russell, Remy Ball, Lilly Campbell, Jessica Cosgrove, Becky Huot, Megan Rawson, Megan Rogers, Teresa Taylor, Jenna Van Waalwijk, Lindsey Weber, Whitney Allison, Sarah Greenfield, and Kristie Uniacke.

The boys’ (who number about 40) finished fifth at the SWC championships a year ago and appear poised to take another step towards the top – which should be guarded well by New Milford, which returns a very strong distance core.

The Nighthawks also have their distance core from cross country out this winter with Peter Dittmar, Matt Cole, Charley Baldour, Eric MacKnight, Scott Nichols and Jake Sullivan carrying the load. Add to that the sprinting abilities of Dan Gindraux and Jon Larsen and the valuable efforts of Mike Cash and Mike Corbeil in the weights and the ‘Hawks really have something going.

“I think if we found a couple of more sprinters,” said coach Foss, “we could be real solid in the relays, too.”

Cash, Dittmar, Gindraux and Larsen will captain the team and provide the foundation along with key returnees Liam Cawley, Nick Varga, Peter Kim, Mike Mangarella, Chris Nuelle, Eddie Small, Dan Tichon, Kevin Donahue, Seth Hull, and Bobby Schwarz.

CHEERLEADING

Third at SWCs

With a second-place showing at the Regionals last month, with the South-West Conference championships in their own gym next January, and with a trip to Florida to compete in the Nationals looming in February, this looks to be a BIG season for the Newtown High School cheerleading squad.

“We are still acclimating ourselves to being an all-girl team,” said co-captain Amber Butler, “and this up-coming season is sure to be a difficult one. But we are looking forward to future competitions like SWCs and Nationals.”

At the Regionals at Southern Connecticut State University back on November 20, the cheerleaders placed second (out of five teams) and officially qualified for the Nationals, which will be held February 11 to 14 at Disney World in Florida.

“This was really exciting for us,” said Butler, “because the competition (at the Regionals) was tough and we beat teams that placed really well in last year.”

The cheerleaders – for the first time in several years, an all-girl squad – will host the SWC championships on Saturday, January 29, and hope to improve on the third-place finish of last year.

“It has always been our goal to place first at this competition,” said Butler, “and it’s looking like we have a chance if we perform our best that day.”

Shortly after the SWCs, the girls will be packing for their trip to Florida. Their aggressive fundraising campaign has already brought in some $20,000 of the $26,000 the team anticipates it will need to bring 23 cheerleaders, two coaches, and a school chaperone to the event.

“We really would like to thank the community for their continued support and overwhelming generosity,” said Butler.

There are other competitions the girls will participate in and they will still perform at all home games for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, so it looks to be a very busy – but also very fun – winter season.

Seniors – Mallory Berko, Amber Butler (co-captain), Christina Elsenhans, Lisa Grossman, Amanda Klabonski (co-captain), Stephanie MacKay and Alyssa McIntyre; Juniors – Noreen Barrett, Lauren Egdahl, Bria Innaurato, Kate Levasseur, Christina Matsis, Caitlin O’Connell and Melissa Shepard; Sophomores – Christina Bell, Nikki Beatty, Leah Fahey, Lauren Nute and Jess Shepard; Freshmen – Kelly Burch, Alyssa DeSimone, Jennah Fahey and Renee Solheim.