Khazzaka, Nonnewaug run past Gilbert

WINSTED — In a game of high-scoring stars, Nonnewaug’s supporting cast made the difference in an 85-73 win over Gilbert at The Gilbert School Tuesday night.

Gilbert’s Hunter Smith and Dylan Crowley scored 32 and 27 points for the Yellowjackets, but none of their teammates hit double figures.

Nonnewaug’s Jon Khazzaka took over the third quarter with 15 of his 27 points for the night, but three other Chiefs – Tyler Lindberg (17 points); Colby Steinfield (14); and Jackson Baker (12) – had his back on offense, while the whole team pitched in to significantly out-rebound Gilbert.

“We go 12 deep on our supporting cast,” said Khazzaka, who had Smith guarding him most of the night.

In a close first half, Smith was a monster on offense with 20 points while holding Khazzaka to 8.

But Smith and Crowley (11 points in the half ) were the only Yellowjacket scorers for two periods except for a three by Anthony Carfiro.

Meanwhile, a trio of treys by Steinfield and Baker led the Chiefs to a 17-17 firstquarter tie after leading leading for most of the period with two and three tries at the basket by Lindberg and Ethan Ciesieiski and just one basket from Khazzaka.

As good as they are, that

kind of load for Smith and Crowley gets wearing.

They got major help on the boards from Carlos Sarmiento.

“He’s one of the best rebounders I’ve seen,” said Nonnewaug coach Devonne Parker. “You can’t just box him out; you have to run after him.”

Nevertheless, Khazzaka

broke out for 6 points in the second period with scoring help from four teammates while Smith carried the load for Gilbert with single treys from Carfiro and Crowley.

The result was a 38-34 halftime bulge for the Chiefs and it could only get bigger.

Khazzaka exploded in the third period along with seven points from Lindberg while Crowley had his best period – 12 points, including 6-for-6 from the foul line,

but Smith subsided to 4 points with the workload.

Nonnewaug’s lead grew to 62-54.

Baker took a star turn at the foul line in the fourth quarter, going 7-for-8 while both Khazzaka and Crowley fouled out.

The Chiefs’ supporting cast was still in.

“We have the best defense in the league,” smiled Coach Parker, knowing he might get an argument from Wamogo. “We’re just waiting

for our offense to catch up.”