Cameron Murphy

‘I Forgot How Much I Missed Coaching’: Palmer Returns to Lead NCHS Girls Basketball in 2021

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Just when Kim Palmer thought she was out, they pulled her back in. Absent from the New Canaan High School girls basketball sidelines since stepping down in 2017, Palmer is back at the helm of the Rams. 

Palmer—a Phys Ed teacher at NCHS and two-time FCIAC Coach of the Year—takes over for John Winchester, who departed last month after leading New Canaan to two consecutive CIAC playoff appearances in three seasons as head coach. “I was actually in the gym teaching PE,” Palmer said. “We had a half-day, so classes were shortened and kids were just shooting baskets and I was shooting with them. Jay Egan came in and said ‘I think you should be coaching again’ as I was shooting a basket.

Sports

Kim Palmer Resigns as Head Coach of NCHS Girls Volleyball

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New Canaan High School varsity girls volleyball coach Kim Palmer has stepped down, according to an email from NCHS Athletic Director Jay Egan that was sent to parents Thursday afternoon. Palmer, who was named head coach in April of 2014, will continue to serve as the girls varsity basketball coach and health and physical education teacher at NCHS, according to the email. In 2014, Palmer’s first year as head coach, New Canaan went 9-10 and earned a berth in the Class L playoffs. The volleyball team was 7-13 in 2015 and 2016, missing states by one game in each of the past two seasons. Palmer’s basketball squad is 1-9 so far this season, however the Rams are coming off their first win of the year—a 43-18 rout of Bridgeport Central this past Tuesday.

Sports

Split Decision: New Canaan Boys Basketball Wins, Girls Fall to Darien

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New Canaan sophomore Nick Crovatto drained a pair of clutch free throws with less than a minute left to break a 43-43 tie and help lift the Rams to a 46-43 win over the Blue Wave Monday night at Darien High School. The Rams were led by junior Tyler Sweeney who scored 21 points, 17 of which came in an exhilarating second half that saw multiple lead changes and swings of momentum. “I’m really proud because things weren’t going our way,” New Canaan head coach Mike Evans said. “We created our own momentum and got it done.”

Darien started the game strong, building an 11-9 lead in the first quarter. Junior two-guard Jackson Ryan hit two three-pointers for six of his team-high 15 points on the night to help the Wave to their early advantage.

News

New Canaan Girls Basketball Tops Staples, Earns State Playoff Berth

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What a difference a year makes. One season removed from a 3-17 campaign the New Canaan Rams girls basketball team qualified for the State tournament Friday night by defeating Staples 40-37. The victory was a big one for New Canaan head coach Kim Palmer, who has seen her team win 4 of its last 5 games to earn the postseason bid—New Canaan’s first since the 2011-2012 season. “I’m so happy that they accomplished one of their goals this year in making the state tournament,” Palmer told NewCanaanite.com. “I’m really proud of where the girls are—there’s a lot of heart and emotion and hard work that’s gone into it, and I’m excited for them to take it to the next level.”

New Canaan was led by senior co-captain Elizabeth Miller who scored 12 points, including several foul shots down the stretch that saw the Wreckers all but erase a 9-point New Canaan lead earlier in the 4th quarter.

Sports

Miller Leads New Canaan Girls Basketball Over Danbury

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Elizabeth Miller scored 10 of her game-high 25 points in the 4th quarter, leading the New Canaan Rams girls basketball team to a key 53-46 home win over Danbury on Wednesday night. “The girls came to play,” New Canaan head coach Kim Palmer told NewCanaanite.com. “I’m really proud of where they’ve come from the start of the season until now. There’s been a tremendous amount of growth and the kids are playing well together. I couldn’t be happier for them because they deserve it.”