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BEACON FALLS — In recent elections nationwide, it has been Democrats trumpeting change, in contrast to Republicans’ status quo. But here it is the GOP working to remake its image, in hopes of balancing a local government controlled largely by Democrats. Among 15 total winners in November’s municipal elections, only four were Republicans and just two, Town Clerk Kurt Novak and Board of Education member Bill Fredericks, actually beat Democrats for their seats. Many Democrats won their seats unopposed, after the seemingly disorganized Republican Town Committee failed to compile a full slate of candidates. So it was unsurprising that when caucusing last Wednesday at the senior center, an assembly of 39 registered Republicans elected a 25-member body that included 17 people who were not on the committee at the start of the current term. Howard Daniels, Jr., Leonard Greene, Ursula Henry, Helen Mis, Brian Ploss, Susan Ploss, James Woodward and Judith Wrenn will be the eight holdovers when a new term begins in March.

BEACON FALLS — The Woodland boys’ basketball team celebrated senior night Wednesday by qualifying for the state tournament for just the second time in school history. The Hawks, playing in their final game of the regular season, got down to business and defeated Seymour by a 60-49 margin, making the postseason for the first time since 2005. “These kids left everything they had on the court, and they deserve this,” Woodland head coach Tom Hunt said. Seniors Bryan Spickle (23 points, 10 rebounds), Shaine Thompson (13 points), Ryan Genua (seven points, nine assists), and three-point shooter Eric Brandien came into the final home game of their careers, looking to extend the season.

TORRINGTON — If Friday night’s game in Torrington was any indication then the second half of the Naugatuck Valley League season is going to be a wild ride for the Naugatuck girls’ basketball team. Last year, the Greyhounds pulled off the upset of the century in a game that has been dubbed The Shocker in T-town. With a valiant effort, the Hounds (4-7) almost shocked the Red Raiders (11-0) again, losing, 44-41. To put the contest in perspective, Torrington came in sporting an average of 64 points per game and had defeated its opponents by 30 or more points in seven of 10 games, including the season opener in the borough.

WATERBURY -- Greyhounds senior captain Jessica Webber became the ninth player in Naugatuck girls' basketball history to reach the coveted mark of 1,000 career points Tuesday night at Holy Cross. The slashing point guard would have been happy to give up a few of those points in exchange for a victory, but the Greyhounds defense accomplished what it set out to do in spite of the 56-35 loss to Holy Cross.

Renovation plan for NHS athletic facilities taking shape NAUGATUCK — The scene at Naugatuck High School last Monday was splendid. Every spring athlete enjoyed the near-perfect weather on the first full day of practice, which usually necessitates a jacket and a wool hat. Of course, not everything was picturesque. Those fields and that track the Greyhounds use are by no means the best around. But if this scene is fast forwarded to just three years down the road, everything — without exaggeration — will be perfect. That’s because in spring 2015, the Naugatuck athletic complex will finally be totally complete, according to the latest timeline of athletic director Tom Pompei.