Round of Applause
If you’re reading this you’ve survived the apocalypse. Congratulations! Now go find somebody who invested in an apocalypse bunker and make fun of them. By the way, congrats to my longtime friend Greg for surviving to see his 22nd birthday Friday. Happy birthday, pal.
Christmas Eve at the Brennan house was a smashing success thanks in large part to the outstanding chef who manned the stove. That was me, of course, and I’m proud to report no serious injuries or food poisoning as of the day after Christmas. I don’t reckon I should take much credit for simply sticking things in the oven and pulling them out after 12 to 15 minutes, but family members seemed to think credit was deserved so I’ll take it. One observation that perhaps can give non-Brennans an idea of what happens on Christmas Eve at the homestead: I’ve never been shopping on Black Friday, but I imagine it looks a little bit like when we put the crabmeat muffins on the table.
Flannel was an abundant gift to me this Christmas. Get ready for some new colors coming to your local basketball gymnasium. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when I show up wearing purple flannel.
An MMA benefit seminar was one of what is sure to be many benefit events for those affected by the tragic shooting in Newtown. Devoted Overtime reader and local mixed martial arts enthusiast Russ Sullivan pointed this out to me and I’m glad to give credit where it certainly is due. A few dozen folks turned out to an MMA seminar in Danbury last weekend hosted by several rising fighters, including Ryan Quinn, one of the top guys in the area. I saw a few photos from the event and it looked like a great success. Kudos to everyone organizing events like these, including the local boot drives over the weekend that raised many tens of thousands of dollars.
Hospital story time isn’t a topic that usually appears in this section, but I decided to dust off my curveball a few months before pitchers and catchers report. My mom and I visited St. Mary’s Hospital on Christmas to visit a relative. This, of course, came with our relative’s roommate (I’m not really sure if they’re called roommates, but that’s what we’ll go with). While we were having a nice conversation with my great aunt, the woman next to her starts telling some bizarre story about scratching nurses because they were too rough when drawing blood. OK, no big deal. Thankfully her phone rings a few minutes later. “Hello?” she answers. After listening intently for a few moments, she becomes bewildered. “Mary who?” she asks. The caller apparently provides some clarification. “Oh, same to you and your family,” the woman responds. Apparently old Margaret thought the caller was looking for a woman with the name of Merry Christmas.
Word from the Woods
Boys Basketball
Woodland (4-0) headed into the Christmas break with a perfect, 4-0 record following a 54-41 victory over Derby last Thursday. The Hawks actually trailed, 13-12, after the first quarter but took firm control of the game with a 19-3 advantage in the second period. Dave Uhl led the way with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Kirk Chamenko added 13 while Rahmi Rountree had eight and Tanner Kingsley chipped in with five. Woodland hosts the Candy Cane Classic, which begins Thursday and continues Friday. The Hawks start the four-team tournament with Ansonia before playing either Oxford or Amity on Friday.
Girls Basketball
The Hawks (2-3) took a two-game winning streak into the Christmas break after beating Derby, 63-37, last Thursday. Woodland’s 63 points in the game were by far a season high, coming on the heels of a previous season high against Seymour. Three players scored in double figures for the Hawks, including Nicole Fowler (16 points), Andrea Piccolo (14) and Alma Rizvani (14). Woodland will hit the road to Amity for the Candy Cane Classic, which begins Thursday and continues Friday. The Hawks kick off the four-team gathering with Ansonia before finishing with either Oxford or Amity on Friday.
Naugy Notes
Boys Basketball
Naugy (3-2) suffered its first loss in Naugatuck Valley League play last Friday with a 65-47 drubbing by Kennedy. The Eagles made easy work of the Greyhounds in the second half, outscoring Naugy 32-19. Only Mick Pernell, who scored 15 points, reached double figures for Naugatuck. Husani Foote scored nine while Brandon Kuczenski and Gabe Pulliam both netted eight. The Greyhounds will visit Wilby on Thursday in their final contest of the calendar year.
Girls Basketball
The Greyhounds (2-5) went into the Christmas break with a four-game losing streak, the latest defeat coming last Thursday against Kennedy. The Eagles outscored Naugy 34-25 in the second half to come away with a 54-43 win in the borough. Amy Dietz led the Greyhounds with 16 points while Angelina Piccirillo had 12 and Steph Lima added eight. Naugatuck looks to break its skid Thursday against Wilby in the team’s final game of 2012.
