‘Canes Loom Large for Opponents
By Ken Lipshez | Sports Correspondent at February 10, 2024 | 10:30 am | Print
The New Britain High boys basketball team come tournament time is one that a higher-ranked foe will not want to see strolling into its gym.
Through last weekend, the Hurricanes were 8-6 after routing Conard, 70-47, before an uplifting crowd at Chick Shea Gym. At that point, they had won five of the previous six starts with the only loss coming at Northwest Catholic.
Remaining on the slate at press time were home games against University Magnet School and Simsbury. The regular campaign will end with four road games – Newington, Farmington, East Catholic and Southington.
But regardless of the record, the ’Canes loom as a load for any foe to handle if they stay on track.
Two of New Britain’s losses have come against Northwest, the state’s third-ranked team in the New Haven Register Writers’ Poll and runaway leader in the CCC West. The ’Canes are the lone in-state foe to come within single digits of the Indians, losing by nine in West Hartford January 27.
Five of the six defeats came in the first eight games. Two (East Hartford and Hall) were by one point. Another (at Simsbury) was in overtime.
The victory over Conard officially opened the door to the Class LL tournament after New Britain went 5-15 last year, falling short of postseason qualification for the first time since 1988-89.
“Speed and athleticism our strengths of ours and I keep telling our guys that the more you attack the rim, the better we’re going to be,” New Britain coach Todd Stigliano said. “We’re not the kind of team that wants to slow the game down and run offense. You want to avoid running offense, play defense and get up the floor, and we’re starting to get it.”
Stigliano received significant contributions from every member of his starting five.
Sophomore center Craven Johnson staked out the paint with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard Devonne Nolan, looking every bit like the senior leader every championship-caliber teams require, had nine points, six assists, four steals and three rebounds.
Junior guard Sheveran Hardy (team-high 15 points) has the knack to penetrate and masters the nuances of spinning layups off the glass. Forwards Quadree Rollins and Joe Brown combined for 10 points and eight rebounds.
Given a 16-point lead after the first quarter, Stigliano relished the opportunity to distribute playing time among a talented group of reserves.
“This is three games in a row where at halftime we were very comfortable because we took control early,” Stigliano said.
Curtis Hyman, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, was impressive off the bench, scoring 11 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots. Muhammad Chislum, a powerfully built 6-foot-4 senior, also produced. Reserve guards Ronday McCray, Michael Robinson and Annuel Saint Juste, all sophomores, continued to push the tempo and keep Conard at a disadvantage.
The ’Canes earned the respect of Conard coach John Benyei.
