‘Everything you work for’
New Canaan’s Sweeney grateful for basketball after losing football, lacrosse
As a sophomore two years ago, Christian Sweeney experienced a storybook moment as a member of the New Canaan boys basketball team when it claimed the school’s first state championship since 1962.
So when he and the Rams opened the CIAC Division III tournament last March with a 59-51 win over Bloomfield, there was a growing buzz around New Canaan’s bid for a second straight title.
“We were very excited,” Sweeney said. “We were facing Ludlowe in the next round and that would’ve been a really good game between two good FCIAC teams. We had a really good shot and we felt like if we won that game, we would’ve gone back to Mohegan Sun (for the state finals).”
That win, of course, came before the world went haywire.
A day later, the CIAC canceled the remainder of its
winter tournaments due to the spreading COVID-19 pandemic. Sweeney, a three-sport star athlete, subsequently saw his spring lacrosse and fall football seasons shut down as well.
Now, after a month-plus delay to the start of this winter’s sports season, the CIAC has given its approval for teams to return to action.
A basketball and football captain, Sweeney was “absolutely ecstatic” when he heard the news.
“I’m extremely grateful that we have the chance to have this experience again, especially because of what happened with football and lacrosse,” Sweeney said. “I’m extremely grateful to be back with my brothers on the court for a final time.”
Losing his lacrosse and football seasons, although he did play four games in the FCFL’s private league in the fall, took its toll and Sweeney said it was difficult to accept.
“Throughout youth (sports), all you think about is your senior year and being on varsity,” Sweeney said. “It’s everything you work for, so once that’s taken away, it’s mentally tough.”
Those cancellations added to the trepidation that yet another season, this time on the basketball court, would be taken away, which also would’ve robbed Sweeney of a chance to play with his twin brother, Braden.
Sweeney said they caught “a little glimpse” of the connection last year, but being on the team together as seniors will be special.
“It’s going to be great for me and him,” Sweeney said. “We’ve been wanting to play varsity together our whole lives. We’ve talked about how excited we are that we finally get to be together for our senior years.”
Danny Melzer, now in his fifth year as New Canaan’s coach, said Sweeney, Will Bozzella and Leo Magnus, the Rams’ captains, have done a great job as leaders while awaiting news of the season.
“It’s not easy when you’ve got different restrictions and obstacles that they’ve had to overcome,” Melzer said. “But they’ve done a great job keeping the team together, doing some running on their own and playing a lot on their own.”
The captains also made sure that the Rams wore masks while conditioning in preparation for that CIAC safety requirement.
“Our message to the team was just keep a ball in your hand and
“I’m extremely grateful that we have the chance to have this experience again, especially because of what happened with football and lacrosse.” Christian Sweeney
keep conditioning, especially with a mask on,” Sweeney said. “We’ve been doing a little bit of running as a team, doing sprints on the track, and keeping the masks on so we can get used to what it’s going to be like this season.”
“We’re going to see the true impact of their leadership now that the season’s finally starting,” Melzer said. “That’s going to carry over into the gym.”
While hoops is the focus for the moment, Sweeney hopes to have a chance to play a lacrosse season, which may look at least a little closer to normal, in the spring.
“I just want to play some games,” Sweeney said. “I’m hoping we can have a full season for lacrosse because it’s outdoors and basketball is happening (indoors). Even if we just had a couple of games and a little bit of a state experience, everybody would be happy.”