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

New Canaan’s Zach Allen Stars as Boston College Wins Quick Lane Bowl

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Throughout his football career at New Canaan High School, Zach Allen always had a penchant for making the biggest of plays in the biggest of games. That trend seems to have carried on to the next level, as Allen had a stellar performance in Boston College’s 36-30 win over Maryland in Monday’s Quick Lane Bowl played at Ford Field in Detroit. Allen, a 6’5″ sophomore defensive end, recorded a career-high two sacks against the Terrapins to go along with two solo tackles that resulted in a loss of 15 yards. The Eagles’ defensive line—a consistent strong point for BC all year—won MVP honors as a unit after holding Maryland to just 128 yards rushing, including 80 yards of negative yardage in the win. Allen—a 2015 graduate of NCHS—finished this season with six sacks, good for third place on a Boston College defense that entered Monday’s game ranked eighth in the nation.

Around Town

MLB’s Curt Casali to Host New Canaan Baseball Clinic

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Most New Canaan youth baseball players have dreams of one day playing in the Major Leagues. This upcoming Monday, those kids will have a chance to get up close and personal with a real-life major leaguer who—not too long ago—started his career on the very same fields they’re playing on today. Tampa Bay Rays catcher Curt Casali will return to New Canaan High School to headline a youth pitching/catching clinic on Monday, December 26th, from 12 to 2pm. Casali, a 2007 NCHS graduate, will be joined by current high school players as well as a veritable who’s-who of Rams baseball alumni, all of whom took their talents to the next level—collegiate baseball. This group includes Casey Ouellette (University of Bridgeport), David Giusti (Lafayette), Dan Rajkowski (UCONN), Zack Smith (Salve Regina), J.R. Anderson (Amherst) and Matt Toth (Trinity).

Around Town

PHOTOS: Downtown New Canaan Blanketed in Snow

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The area’s first significant snowfall (forecasters estimated the total accumulation to be around 3 to 5 inches) hit New Canaan last night, making for some nice photo opportunities in the downtown area. Despite the treacherous driving conditions, New Canaan’s business center was a hub of activity Saturday morning as shoppers and plows were out and about at 9 A.M. on Main, Forest, Cherry, South, Park and Elm Streets just as the snow was turning to a mix of sleet and rain. All New Canaan Public School buildings and related activities were closed as of 10:22 this morning.

Sports

‘This Is Why We Play’: New Canaan Football Tops Windsor 35-20 for Fourth Straight Class L Championship

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As darkness enveloped New Britain’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, Lou Marinelli stood alone at midfield, long after his New Canaan Rams defeated Windsor 35-20 for their fourth straight Class L championship. “I don’t want to leave,” Marinelli said. “We’re counting down the minutes on the sidelines and I’m saying, ‘Damn, I can’t wait until it’s over.’ But now I don’t want it to be over.”

For Marinelli, the time to reflect is well-deserved. The win marked the 12th state title in his 36 years as head coach of the Rams and his 331st career victory, tying former West Haven and St. Joseph coach Ed McCarthy for the most wins in state history.