The seventh/eighth grade boys' youth basketball town champions from Newtown and Monroe earn the right to hit the court for competition one extra time each winter in the annual First Selectman's Game. Although participating in this contest requires having the distinction of being a winning team, the matchup is about more than success on the court. The game is held to benefit Newtown's FAITH Food Pantry and the Monroe Food Pantry, with fundraising efforts at the game and collection of canned and boxed goods from fans contributing to a great cause in both communities.

This year's game was held at Newtown High School - Newtown and Monroe alternate hosting its friendly rivals each winter - and Monroe's team, the Oklahoma Sooners, defeated Newtown's championship squad, the Boston College Eagles, 45-39, on March 16. The Eagle offense was led by Ryan Ruddy and Connor Mandarano, but the Sooners erased a fourth-quarter deficit and finished the game on a 13-0 run.

Despite the loss, Rich Dieckman, coach of the Eagles, had plenty of reason to be proud of his squad, which came on strongly in the postseason to win the Newtown title.

"The last couple games I didn't even have to coach. The kids came together themselves," Dieckman said. "It was just a really good mix of players - defensively, offensively, heightwise, ball controlwise."

Dieckman was proud of the students who volunteered their time in support of the Food Pantry. Emerson Carlson, a senior at Masuk High in Monroe, started the fundraising event a handful of years ago.

"This game is not just for fun. It's for a good cause," Carlson said.

"It's really good for the community," Dieckman added. "Even though Newtown's a really wealthy community there are still struggling families."