Week 5 of boys basketball: Northwest Catholic, East Catholic lose first games of season at HoopHall Classic; Windsor beats Springfield Central

Even though the Northwest Catholic boys basketball team lost for the first time this season, 67-59, in double overtime to Newton North (Mass.) in the HoopHall Classic last Thursday in Springfield, coach John Mirabello was still excited about the game.

“It was a fun game to be a part of,” Mirabello said. “People there were saying how much they enjoyed it. We had a shot at the buzzer in regulation go in and out. The first overtime we were down three and hit a shot at the buzzer to tie it and go to the second overtime.

“They were very similar to us, they lost in the state finals to the No. 1 ranked team in the state, so they’re kind of motivated.”

Northwest sophomore Badara Diakite led the Lions with a double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Mirabello’s son, junior guard Gianni Mirabello, had 18 points while junior London Jemison added 14 points.

“The kids were challenged in ways they hadn’t been to this point,” John Mirabello said. “Obviously, I don’t like losing but we learned a lot.”

Northwest (10-1) lost to Bristol Central in the Division II state championship game last March. The Lions moved up to Division I this season and are currently ranked second behind Danbury.

“The season is going as well as we could have hoped,” John Mirabello said. “We’ve gotten off to a good start and the kids are gelling with each passing day and each practice.”

Top performances of the week

Nate Baker, Prince Tech: Baker hit the game-winning 3-pointer with three seconds left as Prince Tech defeated Cheney Tech 68-66 Friday.

Badara Diakite, Northwest Catholic: Diakite had 17 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals in a 67-59 double overtime loss to Newtown North (Mass.) Thursday in the HoopHall Classic in Springfield.

Quintin Floyd, Windsor: Floyd had a triple-double (11 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 70-50 win over Springfield Central (Mass.) Thursday at the HoopHall Classic.

Dam’nic Gittens, Cheney Tech: Gittens scored 34 points and 15 rebounds but his team lost to Prince Tech on a last-second shot Friday and he had 17 points and nine rebounds in a 37-34 win over Woodstock Academy Wednesday.

Sam Hutchinson, Valley Regional: Hutchinson had a double-double (34 points, 17 rebounds) and two assists and two blocks in a 71-61 win over Coginchaug Tuesday.

Trey Lindsey, Windham Tech: Lindsey had a career-high 30 points and 28 rebounds in a 79-74 win over Grasso Tech Friday and 16 points and 16 rebounds in an 85-57 win over Kaynor Tech Tuesday.

Calvin Monte, Old Lyme: Monte had 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 64-59 loss to Montville Wednesday.

Anthony Parker, Xavier: Parker scored 31 points in an 81-74 loss to Wilbur Cross Tuesday.

Jaydon Schuler, Conard: Schuler had his only basket in the fourth quarter and it was the game-winner at the buzzer, as Conard beat Glastonbury 44-43 Friday.

Rashawn Tibby, Windsor: Tibby had 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and eight blocks in a 63-54 win over New Britain Friday.

Storylines

- Windsor Locks has started off 6-0; the Raiders defeated SMSA 65-59 behind 19 points from Austin Smith (including 13 in the fourth quarter) Tuesday and beat Thomaston 69-46 Thursday.

- Coventry handed Ellington (8-1) its first loss on Friday, 53-44 behind 16 points from Nate Cordner. The Patriots (6-4) were coming off two losses to Amistad and SMSA.

- Weaver, which advanced to the Division V quarterfinals last year before losing to Capital Prep, is 7-0 and on top of the Division IV standings. The Beavers will be tested in a non-conference game against Middletown (6-4) Tuesday.

- Despite 24 points from James Jones, East Catholic (8-1) lost its first game of the season to St. Augustine (Calif.) 67-57 Saturday at the HoopHall Classic. The Eagles were up 30-23 at halftime but were outscored 25-10 in the third quarter.

Games to watch

Ellington (8-1) at Windsor Locks (6-0), Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.: Ellington, fired up after its first loss last week, will try to knock off unbeaten Locks in an NCCC game.

Wilbur Cross (7-2) at Hand (7-3), Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Hand has won two in a row but will face a tough SCC test in Wilbur Cross.

Lori Riley can be reached at lriley@courant.com.