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01/28/2024 10:47 PMThe North Haven boys’ basketball squad has prided itself on both personal and collective growth all winter long. Now, heading into the final legs of the regular season, the Nighthawks are looking to utilize their progress towards being a duly noticed guest in the postseason party.
A winter ago, North Haven finished 11-11 overall in making the SCC Tournament and the Division IV State Tournament draw. In SCCs, the Nighthawks were the 10th seed and fell to No. 7 Hillhouse in the first round by a 86-65 decision. As the No. 17 seed for the state bracket, North Haven took a hard-fought overtime loss in the opening round to 16th-ranked Weston, 61-56.
North Haven finished its first dozen contests this campaign with an even record of 6-6. The Nighthawks then sealed up a postseason bid with two wins last week over Hamden and Fairfield Prep to improve to 8-6.
Head Coach Danny Oglesby declared that the boys want to keep pushing forward with the progress of the program, in all facets and at every tier. The Nighthawks additionally want to take flight in the waning weeks of the regular season towards priming themselves for the postseason fray.
“Our goals for the year are to continue to grow the basketball program at each level,” said Oglesby. “We also want to make the state and SCC tournaments and win multiple games.”
A trio of senior captains have led the push by the Nighthawks. Guard Matt Bosticco brings a profound voice to the group. Meanwhile, forward Adam Pandolfi adds tenacity on both sides of the court, and fellow forward Brendan Grudberg contributes smoothly and efficiently off the glass.
“Matt Bosticco is a team and vocal leader, and he is an experienced lead guard and defender. Adam Pandolfi is aggressive on both ends of the court. He has toughness, physicality, intensity and he is experienced,” said Oglesby. “Brendan Grudberg is a physical, inside presence. He is a vocal leader and leader by example, while being a good finisher and rebounder. All three are excellent students as well, and committed to helping our program continue to grow.”
Another terrific tandem lies within the senior class with Ryan Bernardo and his diverse skill set all over the floor, along with Khalil Thompson. Additionally, Ibby Davila is a junior who brings a lock-down mentality to his defensive game, and fellow junior Johnny Kauhl houses great range from beyond the arc.
“Ryan Bernard is a good shooter and versatile, very consistent. Khalil Thompson is a good playmaker and defender,” said Oglesby. “Ibby Davila is a very good defender and finisher at the basket. Johnny Kauhl is a very hard worker, good defender, and three-point shooter. All are very good students, as well.”
North Haven goes through the home stretch of the regular season with highlight matchups against West Haven on Friday, Feb. 9, and then staying on the road at East Haven four days later on Tuesday, Feb. 13, for 7 p.m. tip offs. Separate from how those contests may turn out for the Nighthawks, they have shown with their body of work that the future is certainly shining a bright light within the halls of the North Haven gym.
“We have a great group of young men in the program right now at all levels,” said Oglesby. “And we are excited about the overall growth of the basketball program, and looking forward to the future.”
The 2023-2024 North Haven boys’ basketball team roster is comprised of seniors Bernardo, Matt Bosticco, Grudberg, Justin Horn, Carter Mulhern, Adam Pandolfi, Nigel Ragsdale, Thompson, Gibbs Wade; juniors Pete Alexandro, John Bimonte, Davila, Kauhl; sophomores Lucas Bosticco, Nathan Eggerling, Tanner Gouin, Aiden Manacchio, Jett Rosekopf, Malachi Simms; plus freshmen Andrew Boemmels, Tristan Boyd, Brady Bychowsky, Matthew Fee, Robert Fisher, Brady Henderson, Isaac Kashilla, Rocco Perito, and Marcus Wearing.
Oglesby is back for year No. 4 as the bench boss for North Haven, and he is assisted by Vic Joshua and Mike DiMartino (in their fourth campaigns) and Mike Wolf, who is back for his second season.
2023-2024 North Haven Boys’ Basketball Regular Season Results and Schedule
Dec. 15: North Haven 87, Whitney Tech 39
Dec. 18: Hamden 56, North Haven 45
Dec. 22: Fairfield Prep 57, North Haven 47
Dec. 28: North Haven 52, New Mission, MA 46
Jan. 4: North Haven 56, Cheshire 35
Jan. 6: Hillhouse 55, North Haven 54
Jan. 8: North Haven 65, Lyman Hall 42
Jan. 10: Griswold 48, North Haven 47
Jan. 12: West Haven 74, North Haven 56
Jan. 15: North Haven 50, Career 37
Jan. 18: North Haven 69, Shelton 38
Jan. 20: East Haven 60, North Haven 55
Jan. 22: North Haven 64, Hamden 41
Jan. 26: North Haven 54, Fairfield Prep 53
Tuesday, Jan. 30: vs. Hillhouse at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2: at Cheshire at 7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 5: at Lyman Hall at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9: at West Haven at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: at East Haven at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 16: vs. Shelton at 7 p.m.