After two tough losses to Kolbe Cathedral, Newtown and Joel Barlow, the Wildcats boys basketball team got back in the win column in a convincing way with a 71-43 win over the New Milford Green Wave at Bethel High School.
Ryan Conroy led all scorers with 23 points on the night, including going 4 for 4 from behind the three-point arc.
This one was a rout from the start. The Wildcats opened a ten-point lead early in the game, en route to a 18-6 first quarter lead. Conroy had five of his 23 points in the quarter.
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Coach Ray Turek was impressed with his play, “Conroy was a one man wrecking crew.” Nick VonKaenel scored six to lead the Wildcats in the first quarter. Turek said he was glad to see VonKaenel get on the score sheet. “Nick had six first quarter points. He needed something like that, so it was nice to see him get off to a good start tonight,” Turek said.
Defensive rebounding was a key to the team’s success tonight. After struggling to hold a lead in some of their previous games, defense was key.
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“We made some adjustments on how we were going to play defense based upon what we saw of the past week,” Turek said. Bethel owned the defensive boards, limiting New Milford to only one shot on many of their possessions.
“We did a great job cleaning up the boards- particularly Alex Barry,” Turek said. “They weren’t hitting their shots, but we always talk about finishing up the defensive stance with the rebound. Then we were able to get some transition baskets against them.”
On the other end of the court, the Wildcats finally had some shots fall for them. Coming out to a quick lead and extending it kept New Milford on their heels all game long. Playing with the lead allowed Bethel to play with confidence.
The second quarter was more of the same for the Wildcats. Conroy kept the pressure on the Green Wave with two three pointers in the quarter. He also was 2 for 2 from the free throw line in the quarter. The Wildcats extended their lead in the game to 24 points, taking a 36-12 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Green Wave showed signs of life in the third chipping in 17 points in the period. However, the Wildcats elevated their game and had an answer for them dropping 23 of their own. Bethel opened their largest lead of the game, 30 points, 59-29, with seconds to go in the third quarter. It was a balanced attack in the third with Dan Garvin, Jon Byrnes and Zach Bangs each with four points. Conroy had eight points, and Alex Barry buried a three pointer in the quarter.
The Wildcats turned the game over to their bench in the fourth, where Kyle Schlogl scored six points, Alex Amaru, Matt O’Connor and Zach Bangs had two points apiece. Bethel managed to hold its lead, and finished the game with an impressive 28 point win.
The Wildcats did a lot of things right tonight, and Turek recognized his team’s efforts.
“Our intensity was where it needed to be,” Turek said. “We distributed the ball a lot better than we have been. Our assists were way up tonight. When we give the ball up we get easier shots. The shots go in, and the confidence builds.”
Turek said he was pleased with how Jon Byrnes battled through early foul trouble to lead his team to a big third quarter. “Byrnes got in foul trouble early. When he came in the third quarter he was the catalyst behind our offense just giving the ball up," Turek said. "A lot of times when a guy gets in foul trouble in the first half they disappear in the second half, and he did not.”
He also recognized Alex Barry’s contributions on the night. He said, “The threes from Alex Barry to open up the defense were big today.”
Ryan Conroy had 23 points, Alex Barry and Zach Bangs had eight points. an Garvin and Nick VanKaenel each had six points. The Wildcats return to action against Bunnell on Feb 4.
