By Steve Bigham

The Newtown Middle School eighth grade girls’ basketball team has lost just five games over the past four years while averaging 12 to 13 wins per season. For Coach Bill Girard, it has been a wild ride, during which dozens of talented players have passed through.

“We had height, we had speed, we had shooting,” Girard said this week.

But there is some question as to whether the 2000-2001 team can continue that trend. Girard admits he does not know this year’s group as well. Part of the reason is the fact that almost all of this year’s team played on the 6th and 7th grade squad a year ago. Last year was the first year that the varsity squad was open only to 8th graders.

“We still have some unknowns. We’d like to run the ball like we always have done. I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do it this year, but we hope to,” Girard said.

There is still plenty of optimism this year, however, especially after the 8th grade travel team (made up mostly of NMS players) won this past weekend’s New Canaan tip-off tournament.

The Lions will likely build their team around 5-9 forward Ashley LaRocque, who is the only player to see action on last year’s squad. She was brought up late in the season as a 7th grader after leading the 6th and 7th grade team in scoring.

“She will be looked at to put points on the board for us,” Girard said.

LaRocque and Meghan Kelley both played for Girard as sixth graders when the school only had a 6th, 7th and 8th grade team. At 5-7, Kelley is an off guard who will be relied on for her outside shot. Both Larocque and Kelley will tri-captain Newtown along with guard Emily Nezvesky, a point guard who is considered to be the team’s best jumper.

Also expected to play a big role this season is 5-4 Courtney Brunton, one of the team’s best outside shooters. She is joined by guard Megan LaFlamme, who possesses good speed and is a deft passer.

Jackie Curran, a 5-9 center, has got lots of ability and will be one of Newtown’s top rebounders. The same is true for 5-8 forward Jessica Palermo, who may be the Lions’ strongest player.

Girard has been very pleased with the steady improvement of 5-6 forward Siobhan Cooper, who knows how to put the ball in the basket, according to her coach.

“She’s a great listener and I think she will be a real asset on the break,” he said.

Another key performer will be 5-7 forward Jessica Budnick, an aggressive defensive player, who should pick up plenty of steals off the press. Mary Anders, 5-5,

Quincy Blanchard, 5-9, and Christie Caruso, 5-2, are among the team’s finest athletes and Girard expects all three to show steady improvement as the season wears along.