News

‘Competitiveness and Fight’: NCHS Boys Basketball Narrowly Defeats Rival Darien

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When the final shot went up, the final whistle blew and the final buzzer sounded, the New Canaan High School students began to stream onto the court as their team’s win became official. The shaky start to the Rams’ season was put into the rearview mirror and replaced by total elation engulfing the NCHS gym. On Friday, the New Canaan Boys Basketball team defeated their rival, Darien, 49-47. The victory was the Rams’ second win in FCIAC play and improved their overall record to 5-8. The win marks the Rams’ fifth straight victory in the boy’s basketball edition of the rivalry, extending their streak of dominance over the Blue Wave. 

As in any New Canaan-Darien matchup, the game was an instant classic in front of a packed crowd that seemed to be on its feet the entire night. 

“The crowd was electrifying,” senior captain Teddy Whittaker said.

Danny Melzer

‘We Aren’t Just Teammates, We Are A Family’: A Senior Class Looks To Leave Its Mark

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It’s that time of the year again. Cold winter air and slippery streets. Piles of snow and early sundowns dampening the moods of many. Swirling flakes making every kid’s dream of a snow day come true. 

In this time of hibernation, something beautiful is born: Athletes push into their high school gyms that, no matter their condition, are made magnificent by the game of basketball. 

“The amount of work this team has put in throughout the offseason is incredible,” New Canaan Rams basketball senior captain Jack Hladick said of the team. “Every day we come to work hungry, building bonds and respect through the common goal of victory.

Sports

Sweeney Scores 1,000th Point; New Canaan Falls to St. Joe’s

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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).

Sports

New Canaan Basketball Falls to Ludlowe, 41-35

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In what has been somewhat of an up-and-down season for the New Canaan High School boys basketball team, Friday night’s 41-35 loss to Fairfield Ludlowe might have established a new low for the Rams.

Poor shot selection and execution, subpar rebounding and an uptick in turnovers sank New Canaan (3-10, 3-6 FCIAC), which lost its third consecutive contest. The Rams were unable to climb out of a hole they dug for themselves in the third quarter which saw Ludlowe (4-8, 3-5 FCIAC) outscore New Canaan 16-4, turning a two-point halftime lead into a 35-21 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. “I don’t know what went wrong tonight,” Rams head coach Danny Melzer told NewCanaanite.com. “I’ve never seen us not reflect a team that wants to do whatever it takes to win. Tonight we reflected a team that didn’t and I can’t put my finger on why.”

It wasn’t for a lack of opportunities.