SHELTON – After suffering their first loss of the season in the opening round of the recent Jockey Hollow Tournament, the Newtown Middle School boys’ basketball team rallied for three wins – and the Shelton Invitational Tournament title – to conclude the 2002-03 season at 14-1.

The Lions defeated Seymour Middle School (54-37) and Ansonia (60-51) to earn the Shelton Tournament title.

In the finale, Joe DeVellis pumped in 21 points, dished off five assists, and grabbed four boards. Ryan McGrath scored 13 points – nine of those in the fourth quarter while hitting 7-of-9 from the free throw line. Kevin Regan chipped in with seven points, but dominated inside with 18 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Tad Pierson, Joe Greenfield, Shaun Coakley, Brian Conroy and Mike Tibbetts combined for 19 points, 18 rebounds and seven steals. Joe Bowen, Tom Hutchison and Will Brooks sparkled on defense.

Devellis, Regan and McGrath were named to the All-Tournament team, with McGrath earning MVP honors.

In the opener, McGrath had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Tibbetts had 11 points and 12 rebounds in a dominating effort.

DeVellis added another 13 points as Conroy scored eight points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Regan, Dan Murdoch and Joe Curran combined for the remaining 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Girls Split Final Two

MONROE – A slow start, but a fast finish, and if the Newtown Middle School girls’ basketball team could get over the fact that it suffered three of its four losses against one team (Jockey Hollow) then it would realize it had a terrific season.

The Lady Lions finished the 2002-03 season at 8-4 with a split at the annual Jockey Hollow Tournament in Monroe. The Lady Lions opened the tournament with a 33-22 loss to Jockey Hollow, but turned out and pinned a 39-33 defeat on Shelton.

Darcy Fiscella (who finished the season with a team-high 13.8 scoring average) popped in 14 points to lead Newtown past Shelton. Erica Vacaro and Sam Wong combined for 15 points while Jill Logan (who pulled down 6.5 rebounds per game), Wong and Jen Mariani (who nearly canned a trick shot at the end of the game) combined for 10 more.

Erin Ruddock, Jen Greenwood, and Sam Ciaccia played tenacious defense.

Fiscella was named to the All-Tournament team.

In the 33-22 loss to Jockey Hollow, Fiscella and Vacaro (who led the team with a 71% average from the foul line this year) led Newtown with six points apiece. Greenwood, Amy Kelley, Logan, Ruddock and Wong tossed in two points apiece. Kelley grabbed 10 rebounds while Fiscella, Logan and Vacaro combined for 15 more. Vacaro made four steals while Logan and Fiscella had three apiece.