New Canaan Freshman Boys Clinch Victory over Ridgefield

Submitted by Cynthia Peiser

On Monday, February 1, the New Canaan Rams trounced the Ridgefield Tigers, and maintained the lead throughout the game.

Stephen Wronski scored on a 3 point play in the first 30 seconds of the first quarter, dropping a foul shot after completing a lay-up. Arthur Bennington followed by hitting a layup on an assist from Wronski. Ridgefield fought back with a pair of jumpers. Matthew Brand was unstoppable, draining two 2 pointers, a 3 point jumper, and a foul shot to close the first quarter 13-7.

The Rams’ determination continued in the second quarter. Ben Sarda, Wronski and Brand each contributed two foul shots. Ridgefield answered back with a layup and a jumper. John Peiser and Wronski each fired in a lay-up, and Clark Grigsby sank a 2 point jumper. Ridgefield tried to close the gap with a pair of jumpers. The Rams continued to shine with three point jumpers from Sarda and Jack Richardson to finish the half 44-30.

The momentum continued in the third quarter with two more three point jumpers from Brand and another two pointer from Wronski. Wyatt Wilson then knocked down a 2 point jumper at the third quarter buzzer.

Ridgefield’s defense pressed New Canaan in the fourth quarter, sending Luke Rwambuya to the foul line three times and Matthew Brand four times.

The defensive and offensive rebounding also contributed to the successful outcome for the Rams. Richardson led the team in rebounding with 7, Brand 3, Bennington 3, Peiser 2, D’Virgilio 1, and West 1. The New Canaan Rams Freshman squad won the game 61- 49, with Matthew Brand contributing 24 points, 13 points from field goals and 11 foul shots.

Coach Ralph Rosiclair said, “What really made a difference in this game was how the team worked together. We were patient, taking the right shots at the right time.”

Scoring for New Canaan: Brand (24), Wronski (10), Richardson (9), Sarda (5), Bennington (4), Rwambuya (3), Grigsby (2), Peiser (2), Wilson (2).

Caption: Matthew Brand leaps above three Ridgefield defenders as he sinks layup. Credit: Mike Wilson.