NBHS Boys Hoop Team Deep With Talent
By Ken Lipshez | Sports Correspondent at December 14, 2023 | 9:15 am | Print
The deck was light on aces when the deal came around to Todd Stigliano at the outset of the 2010-11 season.
His predecessor Stan Glowiak guided the New Britain High boys basketball program to 21 straight years of tournament qualification and everything this side of success except a state title. The Hurricanes hadn’t endured a losing season in 22 years.
But Stigliano’s first squad, wracked by graduation and transfers, finished at 5-15.
The stumble did nothing to curb the former Newington High star’s enthusiasm. Leaning heavily on young center Craven Johnson as a cornerstone, Stigliano methodically thrust New Britain back to its previous level of respectability by going 14-10 and winning two road games in the Class LL tournament.
Now the New Britain hoop lovers who not so long ago jammed Chick Shea Gym on Tuesday and Friday nights want to know if Stigliano can take the ’Canes where they haven’t been since the aftermath of World War II.
He has the talent, he has the determination and his players seem willing to make the personal sacrifices necessary for realizing team goals.
“This is by far the deepest team we’ve had, even when I was with Coach Stan,” said Stigliano, who served a six-year apprenticeship under Glowiak and long-time junior varsity coach Darwin Shaw. “We don’t have any studs but we have some All-Conference players and maybe one or two who can make All-State.
“I don’t see any Roosevelt Lees, Shon Jones’ or Darius Watsons. I see 11 guys who can play.”
Johnson, an undersized (6’3) banger along the lines of Charles Barkley, has two All-CCC certificates as he enters his junior season, and his game continues to grow.
“We’ve been stressing that he has to make himself more versatile because everybody knows who he is,” Stigliano said. “His game is evolving, getting better. He’s definitely working to become a more complete player, especially physically so he can get up and down the floor and be out there when we’re pressing. He has to become a better passer because he’ll draw the double-teams.
“But whether they know who he is or not, he’ll be big for us. He’s clearly a man among boys.”
Johnson averaged 13 points and eight rebounds per game last year. Only senior Sheveran Williams-Hardy, a two-guard with a shooter’s touch, scored more (15 ppg).
Filling the other starting slots will be like choosing between licorice and taffy at the candy store.
Plainville transfer Aramis Hernandez has the skills to handle the point, as does Michael Robinson, who started in the secondary for football coach Tebucky Jones. Stigliano also sees Martin Moncada as a capable floor leader and Ronday McCray gained some varsity experience last year.
“[Robinson] has made lots of strides,” Stigliano said. “He may start, he may be the first one off the bench. He’s just a pure athlete.
“Hernandez is a true passing point guard and fun to watch. He’s the probable starter. The verdict’s not in yet, but when it comes down to crunch time, he’s the person who needs to be handling the ball.”
Stigliano is counting on Moncada and McCray to provide minutes off the bench. Annuel St. Juste and Kevin Tirado also played varsity ball last year.
“McCray is like the Energizer Bunny,” Stigliano said. “He gives us good minutes off the bench.”
Isaiah Vasquez at 6’1 can swing between guard and forward.
“He does everything,” Stigliano said. “He gets rebounds when he has no business getting them. He dives on loose balls. He takes charges. He’s a coach’s dream.”
The ’Canes are equally deep across the front line.
Daequone Clark, a wiry 6’3 forward who has been getting varsity minutes since his freshman year, averaged 10 points per game last year. The Hyman brothers – 6’5 Curtis and 6’6 Curtrell – are multitalented players.
“Curtis is long and very versatile,” Stigliano said. “He can play the post and he can shoot the medium-range jumper. Curtrell gives us a great inside presence. He’s a great rebounder, and he probably had about 30 blocks in our three scrimmages.”
The big test comes the week before Christmas when one of the most storied programs in the state, loaded for yet another Class LL championship run, is in the house. Hillhouse has won 21 state titles and finished second 10 times including last year. New Britain won back-to-back championships in 1949 and 1950 and was runner-up twice, most recently in 2002. The game is slated for Dec. 19.
“It’s a gauge to see where we stand,” Stigliano said. “We don’t need to be ready for the states in our third game of the season but it will show us where we need to go. It means a lot as a litmus test. Whether we win or lose, it’s the perfect game to play.”
NEW BRITAIN
Coach: Todd Stigliano (3rd year, 19-25)
Last Year: 14-10; 8-6 CCC West (4th place)
Key Losses: Devonne Nolan, Muhammud Chislum, Quadree Rollins
2012-13 Lineup: Daequone Clark (6’3 sr. F), Sheveran Williams-Hardy (5’10 sr. G), Isaiah Vasquez (6’1 sr. G), Aramis Hernandez (5’11 sr. G), Kevin Tirado (5’11 sr. G), Craven Johnson (6’3 jr. F/C), Michael Robinson (6’0 jr. PG), Curtis Hyman (6’5 jr. C/F), Curtrelle Hyman (6’6 jr. C), Ronday McCray (5’8 jr. G), Annuel St. Juste (6’0 jr. G), Martin Moncada (5’9 jr. G/F)
Of Note: Hernandez is a transfer from Plainville. … Stigliano starred in basketball and soccer at Newington High, played soccer at Providence and spends autumns officiating scholastic soccer
