Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball and wrestling teams began their winter seasons with victories, and the hockey and swim teams fell against tough opponents, on December 17.

On the basketball court, the Nighthawks used a turnover-fueled 12-0 run to turn a slim fourth-quarter lead into a 16-point advantage en route to a 55-38 victory over visiting New Fairfield. The Hawks scored each of those game-changing dozen points off steals, a traveling call, and a backcourt violation — all caused by Newtown’s pressure defense. In the game, Jeremy Doski had six steals, and Charlie Huegi and Will Dalton came up with three thefts apiece. Newtown’s scoring was led by Harry Depuy’s 16, Dalton’s 11, and Jacob Burden’s 10.

Newtown’s wrestling team went to Bunnell High in Stratford and, behind 11 pins, rolled to an 81-0 triumph. The hockey and swimming and diving teams also kicked off the campaign on the same night. The hockey team fell 7-2 to New Milford at Danbury Ice Arena; NHS goals were scored by Matt Pelison and Scott McLean. In the pool, South-West Conference and state standout Pomperaug of Southbury defeated the Nighthawks 99-81.

The girls’ basketball team, coming off wins over Lauralton Hall of Milford on December 10 and Nonnewaug three days later, is home for three more games before Christmas. The Hawks host the Threes For Charity Tournament on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20 — they take on Cromwell at 7 pm on December 19, and will play in either the 1 pm consolation game or 3 pm championship tilt, against an opponent to be determined, the next day — then tangle with Masuk of Monroe on Tuesday, December 23, at 7 pm.

Next up for the boys’ cagers is a visit to Trumbull at 7 pm on December 23, and they won’t return home until a Saturday, January 3 date with Torrington — tipoff is set for 6 pm.

On the mats, the grapplers will participate in the Fairfield Ludlowe Invitational, beginning at 10 am, on Saturday, December 20. Their first home meet is a January 7 competition with Masuk, at 7 pm.

On the ice, the hockey season continues with a pair of home games in Danbury on Saturday December 20 (Sheehan of Wallingford visits for a 4:10 pm puck drop), and Tuesday, December 23 (against Stamford at 4:30 pm).

Newtown’s swim team gets back at it with a 4 pm visit to Masuk on Monday, December 22. The next home meet for the swimmers is a January 6 date with Bunnell/Stratford, at 6 pm.

Read more about the basketball team’s season-opening win, and get more scores and highlights from all of Newtown High’s squads in the December 26 print edition of The Bee.