New Canaan Freshmen Boy's Basketball Split Pair of Games

Submitted by Cynthia Peiser

Coming off of a win against Bridgeport Central 54 - 41, the New Canaan Rams Freshman boy’s basketball team clinched another victory over Wilton Warriors 36-30 on Wednesday, February 17, but lost to FCIAC leader Danbury 54- 60 on Monday, February 22, bringing their record to 6 wins and 9 losses.

New Canaan 36, Staples 30

The New Canaan Rams Freshman team rolled over the Wilton Warriors after fighting hard in a game with many turnovers. The Rams kicked off the first quarter with a three pointer from Matthew Brand and a lay-up from Jack Richardson in the first two minutes of the game. The Warriors answered back with two layups. Luke Rwambuya continued the New Canaan drive with a layup, and Wilton hit a three pointer to close the first quarter in a tie 7-7.

New Canaan began the second quarter with a layup from Conor West on an assist from CJ D’Virgilio, and Richardson hit a layup. Wilton hit a foul shot and sank two layups on turnovers. Then the Warriors hit two more free throws. The Rams fought back with a layup from Arthur Bennington on an assist from Richardson. Wilton sank three more points, and New Canaan trailed at the half 15-18.

New Canaan’s Stephen Wronski contributed a layup to start the second half, and Wilton kept their lead with another layup. Wronski hit another layup on an assist from Bennington. Both teams stepped up their defense with steals and turnovers and were tied 25-25 going into the fourth quarter. Wilton tossed in 5 points in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter on two turnovers. New Canaan continued to fight with a three pointers from Oliver Crookenden and Ben Sarda. Richardson was fouled and and hit two more. The Rams momentum continued when Aiden Bramwit, Rwambuya and Sarda were all sent to the line in the last two minutes of the game and made key foul shots to win the game 36-30. Richardson led in rebounding with 12, D’Virgilio 5, Bennington 5, Brand 2, West 2, Wronski 2, Bramwit 1, Peiser 1, Rwambuya 1, Wilson 1.

Scoring for New Canaan: Richardson (11), Sarda (5), Wronski (5), Brand (3), Crookenden (3), Rwambuya (3), Bennington (2), Bramwit (2), West (2).

New Canaan 54, Danbury 60

The New Canaan Rams fought hard, but couldn’t overcome the Danbury Mad Hatters, the FCIAC freshman first place team. The Hatters began the first minute of the quarter with three baskets. Then the Rams’ Richardson hit a layup, and Rwambuya dropped a three pointer. Danbury answered with an eight point run while New Canaan fought back with layups from D’Virgilio and Wilson and a three point jumper from Sarda to close the first quarter Danbury 21, New Canaan 14. Danbury continued to make their shots, adding two more baskets at the beginning of the second quarter. Rwambuya hit a foul shot and Wronski sank two baskets, but Danbury didn’t let up sinking three more baskets. New Canaan was down 7 points at the half, New Canaan 24- Danbury 31.

The Rams struggled in the third quarter to keep up with the dominant Hatters who racked up 20 points to New Canaan’s 12, ending the third quarter Danbury 51, New Canaan 36. However, in the fourth quarter, New Canaan kicked into gear adding 18 points to Danbury’s 9 points. Richardson drained a 3 pointer, and Sarda sank a layup. Danbury put the pressure on and fouled New Canaan numerous times. The Rams contributed 11 foul shots with Wronski sinking seven foul shots, Wilson two, Sarda and Rwambuya one each. Unfortunately, time ran out and the Rams lost. Richardson and D’Virglio led in rebounding with seven apiece. Also contributing rebounds were Wilson 6, Peiser 3, Bennington 2, West 2, Sarda 1, Rwambuya 1.

Scoring for New Canaan: Wronski (14), Rwambua (12), Richardson (10), Sarda (8), Wilson (6), D’Virgilio (2), West (2)

Photo credit: Mike Wilson from previous season game.