NewCanaanite.com (https://newcanaanite.com/sweeney-scores-1000th-point-new-canaan-falls-to-st-joes-47837)
Tyler Sweeney scores his 1,000 point during New Canaan's 58-42 loss to St. Joe's. Credit: Mike Wilson
Senior captains Mike Svagdis and Tyler Sweeney honored with posters on Senior Night. Credit: Terry Dinan
The seniors and their parents. Credit: Terry Dinan
Tyler Sweeney and his parents. Credit: Terry Dinan
Austin Bell and his parents. Credit: Terry Dinan
Timmy Russo and his parents. Credit: Terry Dinan
James Crovatto and his parents. Credit: Terry Dinan
Charlie Grow and his parents. Credit: Terry Dinan
Lauren Meyer and her mom. Credit: Terry Dinan
Tyler Sweeney gets introduced. Credit: Terry Dinan
Sadie Seelert channels her inner Uncle Steve during the National Anthem. Credit: Terry Dinan
Timmy Russo looks to pass during New Canaan's 58-42 loss to St. Joe's. Credit: Terry Dinan
Tyler Sweeney scores a layup during New Canaan's 58-42 loss to St. Joe's. Credit: Terry Dinan
New Canaan High School Athletic Director Jay Egan poses with Tyler Sweeney, who became the 4th 1,000-point scorer in NCHS history. Credit: Terry Dinan
Tyler Sweeney would be the first person to tell you he’d trade every point he’s ever scored for a win. The New Canaan senior basketball star has seen more than his share of personal success over his four-year career—success that unfortunately hasn’t translated into wins for the Rams.
Even so, Sweeney—as he has been every game since cracking the New Canaan lineup as a freshman—was a huge bright spot in the Rams 58-42 Senior Night loss to St. Joe’s, netting the 1,000th point of his career.
Sweeney became the first century scorer at New Canaan since the great Monroe Trout hit the mark in the 1979-80 season. He is only the fourth 1,000-point scorer in NCHS boys basketball history joining Wilky Gimore, Bill Saunders and Trout in that exclusive club (former girls basketball star Sara Mannelly also scored 1,000 points for the Rams).
“I remember coming to watch basketball games here when I was in fourth and fifth grade,” Sweeney told NewCanaanite.com. “I always wanted to play basketball here and I could never have imagined scoring 1,000 points. It’s something special, and I couldn’t do it without my teammates getting me the ball.”
“Tyler is the guy that gets us going offensively,” New Canaan head coach Danny Melzer said. “His number-one goal is not to score. His number-one goal is to do whatever it takes to help us win.”
The Rams seemed destined for a victory in the early moments of Wednesday’s game as Sweeney scored New Canaan’s first 12 points of the game. Fellow seniors Timmy Russo and James Crovatto chipped in three points apiece, helping the Rams to an 18-10 first quarter lead.
The Cadets countered in the second, going on an 11-0 run over the first four minutes of the quarter to take a 21-18 lead. A three pointer from junior Luke Crawford and a basket from Sweeney gave New Canaan a 23-21 lead—a lead that turned out to be the last of the game for the Rams.
St. Joe’s took a 26-23 advantage at halftime and outscored New Canaan 21-6 in the third to put the game away. The Rams could not solve the Cadets’ full court press, leading to several turnovers and easy St. Joe’s conversions.
New Canaan (3-14, 3-10 FCIAC) was able to keep pace with St. Joe’s (7-11, 5-9 FCIAC) in the fourth quarter as Sweeney scored six of his team-high 21 points in the final stanza, including a floater in the lane for points number 999 and 1,000. But the Rams could pull no closer than the 58-42 final score.
“We’ve gone through dry spells all year,” Melzer said. “Mistakes compound, we miss a couple of shots and we get discouraged. But I’m proud of the seniors. I’m proud of the way they came out and played in the first quarter. And I’m happy for Tyler, it’s an excellent accomplishment for him.”
New Canaan wraps up its home schedule Friday at 5 p.m. with a game against Darien in what will be Melzer’s first experience in the middle of the heated Rams-Wave rivalry.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Melzer said. “I’ve always been part of the Stamford rivalries and I went to the [Turkey Bowl] football game and it was probably the best football game I’ve ever seen in high school. It’s a great atmosphere and I know these kids are going to be ready to go and fired up and I’m looking forward to the game.”
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joe's | 10 | 16 | 21 | 11 | 58 |
| New Canaan | 18 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 42 |