New Canaan Freshman Boys Basketball Team Wins in Overtime over Westhill

Submitted by Cynthia Peiser

Coming off an overtime win 68-66 versus Trinity Catholic on January 15, the New Canaan Boys Freshman Basketball team, coached by Ralph Rosiclair, played two home games this past week. New Canaan experienced a frustrating loss to Trumbull and bounced back with a hard fought victory over Westhill in overtime, ending the week with a 3-3 record.

On Monday, January 19, the New Canaan Rams lost to the Trumbull Eagles 56-66. New Canaan trailed in the first quarter, 11-19, as Trumbull’s powerful offense and defense didn’t let up. Matthew Brand and Luke Rwambuya each contributed two layups, with Stephen Wronski hitting a two point jumper. Wyatt Wilson sank a foul shot after being fouled on a layup at the end of the first quarter. The Rams fought hard in the second quarter with layups by Ben Sarda, Jack Richardson, and Brand as well as a three point buzzer beater by Wronski to close the half 23-30. The Rams came on strong in the third quarter with offensive and defensive rebounding from Richardson, Brand, John Peiser, Conor West. Wronski was on fire knocking down three more three pointers. Brand hit a pair of three pointers and Richardson another three pointer to tie the Eagles 42-42 at the close of the third quarter. The Eagles pressured the Rams in the fourth quarter sending Richardson, Wilson and Peiser to the foul line. Richardson and Wilson sank two foul shots, and Peiser added a point in the clutch. Wronski, Sarda, and Richardson fired in three more three pointers. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hold off the Eagle’s offense which took the lead halfway into the fourth quarter and won the game 66-56.

Scoring for New Canaan: Wronski (18), Richardson (13), Brand (12), Sarda (5), Rwambuya (4), Wilson (3), Peiser (1).

In the second game of the week, New Canaan Rams defeated Westhill Vikings on January 22 in overtime. Arthur Bennington won the tip-off, and with an assist from Brand, scored a lay-up within the first 20 seconds of the game. Another layup from Brand, a three pointer from Wronski, and three foul shots from Richardson gave the Rams a 10-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. Westhill closed the gap, but New Canaan answered back and led at the half 15-14. In the second half, the Rams and Vikings changed leads many times. The Vikings pressured and fouled the Rams in the third and fourth quarter with Richardson, Sarda, and Brand contributing foul shots. Wronski buried two more baskets, and Brand contributed another layup. Strong defense and rebounding by Brand, Richardson, Bennington and Peiser kept the pressure on Westhill, sending both teams into the bonus in the fourth quarter. Richardson and Sarda each hit three pointers and Brand sank a two point jumper. However, Westhill fought back, and the game was tied 36-36 in regulation. New Canaan turned up the heat in overtime as Wronski and Sarda fired in three point and two point jumpers, respectively. Sarda was fouled and went to the line and sank both shots in the one-in-one to help New Canaan win 45-38. “We played hard to the end and never quit,” said Freshman Coach Ralph Rosiclair on defeating Westhill, his high school alma mater.

Scoring for New Canaan: Wronski (13), Richardson (11), Sarda (11), Brand (8), Bennington (2)

Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson. Caption – Jack Richardson launches a lay-up, also pictured for New Canaan are Stepen Wronski and CJ D’Virgilio