It’s that time of the year again.
New Canaan Ram’s senior captain Jack Hladick shooting in the Holiday Classic semifinals on Dec. 28, 2022. Credit: Michelle Kanter
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.
Point guard Griffin Bramwit on the attack in the New Canaan Ram’s victory over Southington in the Holiday Classic Championship on Dec. 30, 2022. Credit: Michelle Kanter
“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. That attitude that the team has had for years is one of the reasons why we believe in each other so much and have our eyes set on a state championship.”
The Rams are helmed by eight returning seniors, four of them in the starting lineup and the other four making key contributions off the bench. Though there are only three captains—Hladick, Santi Lacayo, and Ty Groff—all of the seniors have taken on the job of being a role model and setting an example of how one should conduct themselves to achieve success.
New Canaan Ram’s senior captain Santi Lacayo leading his team past New Milford 42-25. Credit: Michelle Kanter
This isn’t just a last hurrah for these senior athletes, though, as their chemistry has been a product of years of hard work.
“This senior class has been playing together since middle school,” senior leader Spencer Wright said. “We have been playing against each other and with each other, fighting through challenges that have bonded us in a brotherhood. We aren’t just teammates, we are a family.”
The New Canaan Rams celebrating after their 54-51 victory over Southington in the Holiday Classic championship. Credit: Michelle Kanter
So far this season, the team has seen success, opening with a perfect 3-0 record. The Rams started their season against Wright Tech, and cruised to a 74-37 victory behind 21 points from point guard Griffin Bramwit. After handling New Milford 42-25 in the semifinals of the Holiday Classic, New Canaan faced their toughest test of the season in an equally impressive Southington team. The game was back and forth the whole way but, after a last second layup by Bramwit to force the game into overtime, the Rams prevailed 54-51.
“It was a really close game, and helped teach us how to win those tight games and execute in crunch time,” Bramwit said of the team’s most recent win. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but good teams find a way to win even if they are playing poorly.”
This combination of experience, talent and hard work gives the team hope for success.
“We set our goals high and expect to be competing for the FCIAC and CIAC championships,” head coach Danny Melzer said. “We get after it every practice and embrace the importance of competing and pushing ourselves and each other to get better every day. Our mindset is to appreciate our time together and work towards playing our best basketball in February and March.”
The Rams now begin FCIAC play in a challenging schedule that will bring the toughest competition in the first few weeks of conference play. Their first game is against Danbury—a team that many expect to win the FCIAC—this Friday, Jan. 6. The game will be played in the New Canaan High School gym, with tickets available at the door, as well as the ability to tune into the live broadcast on NCTV 78.