Boys Basketball making a statement

Friday, January 8, 2016

 ewington coach Scot Wenzel said his team's goal from the first day of practice has been "to make a statement."

The Indians have made one. They vaulted to No. 5 in The Courant state ratings after defeating Manchester 81-44, Maloney-Meriden 80-56 and East Hartford 76-66 last week.

The team can win in many ways. It can score in transition or in half-court sets and features one of the top guards and passers in the state in Jared Simmons. Although the team lacks height, it seldom gets beat on the backboards.

Having an 18-5 record last season was satisfying, but losing a Class L second-round game to Wilbur Cross-New Haven was not.

Newington, which returned its entire starting lineup, believes it can do better.

Simmons' penetrations, passes and points make him difficult to defend. Forwards Brett Frank and Pablo Ortiz, each about 6 feet, may not be the tallest but they average about 10 rebounds each.

"It's not how much height you have; it's how much heart you have," Wenzel said.

Nick Guadarrama and Dante Phillip are solid on the boards, too. Zach Tinkham is paired with Simmons in the backcourt. The Indians also have productive depth, with Connor Buckley, Robert Sanchez and Matt McKinnon.

That was ondisplay in a 61-48 victory at Bristol Eastern on Tuesday night when Ortiz scored 15, Simmons 11, Frank 10, Buckley 9 and Guadarrama 7. The win was the 200th in Wenzel's career, which began with four seasons at Mashpee (Mass.) High.

"I truly believe there is something special about Newington kids," he said. "They are some of the toughest kids around, and I have been very fortunate to coach them over the last 13 years."

Courtesy of the Hartford Courant

Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Basketball Coach Scot Wenzel Collects 200th Win
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Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Boys Basketball cruises to 8-0
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