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| Booker (Dean athletics) |
It’s not unusual for Waterbury high school boys basketball players to go on and compete at the collegiate level.
Three of them playing in the same game? Now that’s different.
Dean College hosted Newbury College on Jan. 9, and it was a reunion for three former Brass City stars. For Dean, it’s sophomore Jordan Booker (Crosby) and freshman Courie Stevenson (Sacred Heart). They went up against Newbury freshman Miguel Rivera (Crosby).
All three Brass City stars played major minutes in the 106-103 Dean overtime victory. Here’s how each player fared in the game:
Booker: He played all 45 minutes and scored 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting. Booker had five turnovers and a technical foul, but he made up for it with six assists and five steals. In the first half, Booker played all 20 minutes and scored 15 points to go along with four steals. He was 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. In overtime, Booker assisted on the first Bulldog basket, then hit back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 95 at the 3:11 mark. With 1:15 left in overtime, Booker scored to put Dean up 103-99.
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| Stevenson (Sports on CT-69 file) |
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| Rivera (Newbury athletics) |
Stevenson: He played 32 minutes off the bench and tallied nine points and five rebounds. Stevenson, who originally committed to Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, came up with a couple big plays in overtime for the Bulldogs. Stevenson had a steal that led to the tying basket from Booker. Stevenson had a key rebound off a missed Newbury foul shot with 1:03 left and Dean ahead 103-100. With 34 seconds left, it was a Stevenson layup that put the Bulldogs ahead 105-101. Not bad for a collegiate debut for the former Sacred Heart standout. He has also played in the two games since, averaging over 26 minutes per contest.
Rivera: He played 37 minutes and scored 17 points before fouling out in overtime. Rivera was 4-of-11 from the field, but nailed 7-of-8 at the foul line. He had four assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Rivera played all 20 minutes in the second half, when Newbury outscored Dean 50-42. He had 11 points and three assists in the second 20 minutes. Rivera’s free throws were the first Nighthawk points of the second half. Rivera’s steal and assist with 10 minutes left brought Newbury within six points, 69-63. He brought the Nighthawks within five, 71-66, on a 3-pointer with 8:52 to play. Rivera assisted on the 3-pointer that cut the Newbury deficit to 77-75 at 6:15 to go. In overtime, Rivera played a part in six straight Newbury points with a layup, an assist and two free throws. The two foul shots tied the game at 97 with 2:32 on the clock. He fouled out with 1:03 to play.
Three guys who made the Brass City proud all played their part in an overtime thriller.
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| Harnish (Springfield athletics) |
Sean Harnish, Springfield College swimming and diving
The sophomore and former multi-sport Holy Cross athlete had a solid day for the Pride on Jan. 13.
Springfield began its 156-126 victory over Union College with a win in the 200-yard medley relay, which Harnish was a part of. Harnish was the first swimmer on the relay for the Pride.
Harnish finished second in the 100 backstroke in a time of 54.73, just .04 seconds behind Owen Perks, the winner from Union. He also took second in the 200 backstroke, finishing in a time of 2:02.67. Perks was again first.
When the 100 butterfly came around, Harnish claimed victory in a time of 55.37. He finished .08 seconds ahead of Perks.
Harnish specializes in the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle races for Springfield. The Middlebury native is majoring in Business Management.
Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio, Nichols College basketball
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| Fithian-Giantonio (NIchols athletics) |
The Bison have played 13 games so far this season, and the former St. Paul leader has started all of them.
Fithian-Giantonio is averaging 26.5 minutes per game and scoring 3.5 points. The junior from Plainville is pulling down 3.7 rebounds per contest, and she is a 90 percent free throw shooter in in just 10 attempts.
Fithian-Giantonio had her best scoring and rebounding game for Nichols in a 72-71 loss to Wentworth on Jan. 13. She posted season highs in points with eight, rebounds with 11, and assists with five in 29 minutes of work.
Statistics and information compiled from the team website of each athlete.
