The Northwest Catholic boys basketball team has played two games in the last two weeks due to weather and scheduling changes. Now the Lions (9-2) will play nine games in the next three weeks.
“It’s been a little difficult – but I think everybody’s been going through the weather changes and the cancellations and all that,” Northwest Catholic coach John Mirabello said. “We’re trying to work hard to get prepared for that.”
Northwest lost to East Catholic, 60-44, on Jan. 16 and has had plenty of time to think about that with only two games since, both wins.
“We’re clearly not a finished product,” Mirabello said. “We have a big stretch coming up.”
Northwest was leading East in the first quarter, then East “turned up the pressure on us and it got away and we didn’t recover,” Mirabello said.
In the Lions’ other loss, 64-60, to undefeated Windsor on Dec. 22, the game was close until the end.
“Being on the road in those environments, it’s really good,” Mirabello said. “It’s hard. It was good for us to go through that. The practices were really sharp after that.”
The Lions have been led by six seniors – Drew Dargati, Thomas Rushin, Tyler Uveges and Cooper Steele, plus Kayden Davis and Vincent Burbank of NWC football fame – and the scoring has been spread out between them.
“Each in their own way has had a really big impact on what we’re doing,” Mirabello said.
The Lions are hoping for another shot at Windsor and East Catholic, which could come in the CCC tournament or in the case of East, in the state tournament (Windsor is in Division II, while the two Catholic schools are in Division I).
Highlights from last week
Cameron Belanger, E.O. Smith: Belanger’s 3-pointer broke a 70-70 tie with a little over a minute left against Enfield, then his seventh 3-pointer of the game gave E.O. Smith the 76-71 win. Belanger had 27 points and six assists.
Ellington’s Jack Curtis (left) drives past Granby’s Brody Liss (11) during Wednesday’s game at Granby High School. Ellington won its 40th straight game, 82-47. (Photo by Lori Riley)
Jack Curtis, Ellington: Had 29 points to help unbeaten Ellington to its 40th straight win, 82-47, over Granby Wednesday.
Tommy Dinunzio, Lewis Mills: Had 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 47-45 win over Simsbury Friday
Jay Evans, Haddam-Killingworth: Hit four 3-pointers and had 16 points in a 70-31 win over Coginchaug Friday.
Eddie Fiske, Old Lyme: Had 23 points, including the game-winning shot, in a 53-51 win over previously unbeaten Cromwell Friday night.
Ji Gary, Windsor: Made 11 3-pointers and scored 39 points in a 100-70 win over E.O. Smith Wednesday.
Syre Gillespie, Capital Prep: Had 27 points in a 61-46 loss to International Friday.
Alijah Grice, International: Had 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in a 61-46 win over Capital Prep Friday and 29 points, 11 rebounds and five steals in a 53-50 loss to Wilcox Tech Wednesday.
Xavier Hodge, Cromwell: Scored 27 points in a 53-51 loss to Old Lyme, Cromwell’s first loss this season, Friday night.
Noah Jones, Xavier: Scored 18 points in a 44-42 win over Guilford Friday.
Alex Weaver, Windsor: 23 points and 14 assists in a 107-51 victory over Manchester Friday.
Games to Watch
Granby (13-2) at Ellington (14-0), Friday, 6:45 p.m.: These two NCCC teams just played each other last week and Ellington won big so Granby gets another shot.
Haddam-Killingworth (10-3) at Cromwell (13-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: Cromwell had its first loss last week to Old Lyme, 53-51, and will try to bounce back with three games this week, including this one vs. Shoreline foe H-K.
Somers (10-3) at Coventry (10-4), Friday, 6:45 p.m.: Somers and Coventry were scheduled to play Monday at Somers, then again Friday at Coventry. The two NCCC teams are close to each other in Division V, with Somers in third place and Coventry in fifth, as of Monday.
