Boys Basketball: Rams Over Cardinals 58-48
Greenwich High School’s boys basketball team dropped a tough 58-48 decision to New Canaan on Jan. 17 at home, but the Cardinals left the game with plenty of optimism and momentum.
The Cardinals trailed the Rams by double digits at certain points of this FCIAC matchup yet pulled to within 43-40 with 4:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. New Canaan finished the fourth quarter strong however, eventually earning a 10-point win.
Senior guard Matthew Maloney scored a game-high 20 points for the Cardinals, 18 of which came during the second half. Maloney made two 3-pointers in the game for Greenwich, which trailed New Canaan, 15-11 after the first quarter and 28-20 at halftime.
Junior guard/forward Sandro Scott added 10 points for Greenwich, which faced a 39-30 deficit heading into the fourth quarter, before cutting New Canaan’s lead to three points in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve had a number of games recently where we’ve closed well,” Greenwich assistant coach James Maloney said. “We had opportunities to at the end to be tied or take the lead. I’m proud of these guys and the progress that we’re making.”
Guy Germain, a senior guard, scored nine points with a 3-pointer for Greenwich. Sophomore guard Matthew Vertin had 14 points, including two 3-pointers to pace New Canaan.
Henry Chandra, a junior and Andrew Esposito, also a junior scored 12 points apiece for the Rams.
“New Canaan is a great team, well-coached, they got a lead and it’s hard to come back against a good team,” coach Maloney said. “There was plenty of fight in us and it was a real team effort.”
Junior Michael Golden and senior Ryan Brennan each had three points for Greenwich.
“It was a physical and a drag out sort of game,” coach Maloney said. “It’s good to be in these games and I think we’re going to have a chance to close games out soon.”
Those words rang true, as Greenwich handed Staples its first loss of the season on Jan. 21 before a big crowd at GHS. As you’ll see in the next post here on Greenwich Sports Beat, it was indeed, a memorable win for the Cardinals.
Girls Ice Hockey Stays Perfect in January, Extends Winning Streak
New Canaan girls ice hockey continued its dominant run in January, securing five victories to maintain its undefeated record. The Rams showcased both offensive firepower and defensive resilience, outscoring opponents 19-7 across their games.
The team’s most recent win came on January 24 with a 7-5 victory over Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon. Maddie Tully led the scoring effort with three goals and an assist, while Serena O’Connor, Izzy Hanna, Jenna Vigano, and Marissa DelCarmine each found the net. Ashton Pinkernell contributed three assists, and goaltenders Larkin Celiberti, Charlotte Heyn, and Macyn Callahan combined for 16 saves.
On January 18, New Canaan shut out Mercy 5-0 behind a balanced attack. Tully and O’Connor each recorded two goals and two assists, while Fiona Curri added a goal. Callahan anchored the defense with 24 saves.
A week earlier, the Rams earned a 3-1 victory over South Kingstown (RI) on January 12. O’Connor scored twice and assisted on Tully’s goal, while Curri and Pinkernell provided assists. Callahan made 12 saves in goal.
In a tightly contested matchup on January 10, New Canaan edged Avon/Southington 1-0. Tully provided the lone goal off an assist from Claire Hickey, and Callahan stopped 15 shots to secure the shutout.
The Rams opened January with a 3-1 win over Stamford/Westhill/Staples on January 5. Tully scored twice, Hanna added a goal, and O’Connor, Pinkernell, and Izzy Janiga recorded assists. Callahan made 12 saves in net.
New Canaan’s consistency in both ends of the ice has solidified its place atop the FCIAC standings. The Rams will look to continue their strong play as they prepare for key matchups in February.
Boys Ice Hockey Improves to 12-0
The New Canaan varsity boys ice hockey team secured a 6-0 victory over Westhill (Stamford, CT) in a home non-conference game on Saturday. The team improved to 12-0 on the season.
New Canaan took control early, scoring three goals in the first period, followed by two in the second and one in the third. Senior goaltender Brendon Harmon stopped all 15 shots faced, recording a shutout.
Junior Bauer Gammill and senior Bryce Lyden each scored twice. Junior George Ives and sophomore Jack Thompson added one goal each. Senior Brayden Robie and junior Tony DelCarmine led the team in assists with two each.
New Canaan allowed just 15 shots on goal while generating sustained offensive pressure.
Boys Basketball Secures Fourth Straight Win Against Stamford
New Canaan boys basketball earned its fourth consecutive victory with a 53-49 win over Stamford. The Rams improved their record and strengthened their position in the FCIAC standings.
New Canaan maintained control for most of the game, holding a lead in the final minutes. Inbounding from under their own basket, the Rams executed a short pass that led to a foul, securing the final points needed for the win.
Andrew Esposito led the Rams with 11 points, while Simon Tchakarov contributed seven and played a key role defensively. Several key players transitioned from the football season, which ended in mid-December, requiring adjustments to basketball conditioning and chemistry.
The Rams had a slow start to league play but have gained momentum. In the past ten days, they secured wins over Greenwich, Wilton, and Stamford, teams that could be potential tiebreak opponents. Their next five matchups are against teams with losing records, though several remain close in the standings.
With recent success, New Canaan is positioning itself for a strong finish in the FCIAC tournament race.
