Phoenix Basketball

Basketball is one of the interscholastic team sports where the students get an opportunity to compete and interact with the students of other schools in Connecticut and New York.

The goals for the team are to develop athleticism and teamwork. The coaches imbue the players with a sound attitude by encouraging them to celebrate victory with pride and accept defeat with dignity.

During the 2011-2012 season, the Woodhall Phoenix made the school proud with an incredible season record of 13-2. This is a historic accomplishment in the chapter of the schoolʼs athletic program. The team is proud of its winning record, but the Woodhall Phoenix Basketball Team is distinguished not only by its winning record, but by its sportsmanship, resilience, and positive attitude.

2012-2013 Season

Scores  

 
Phoenix Triumph in Season Opener Against Wooster
December 12, 2012 
The Woodhall Phoenix won the first game of the season against the Wooster School, Danbury, 42-21. The Phoenix dominated the entire game. In ten minutes of the game with a comfortable lead, the subs began to replace the starters. The second half was played mostly by the subs. The subs retained the lead. 

Point guard, Ben Fisch, scored 9 points and some beautiful assists.  Power forward, Derk Haldewang, had his signature blocks in addition to several rebounds. Robert Andrew Clark-Smith (G) added 5 points.  Zach Bamberger (G) and Zack  Kendall (F) played some smart offensive moves in the perimeter area along with Gabi Cheng’s quick drive for a couple of easy layups.  Center, Henry Molinari, added two more points.

The Wooster School didn’t give up easily; they put up a brave fight till the end of the game.

The biggest excitement of the game was two quick 3- pointers by reserve Max Salis (G) from the right corner. Salis scored 8 points. Reserve Mike Castine added another 3-pointer. At the low post David Zebersky (F) received the ball from Cheng, turned around, and made a couple of easy baskets, adding 4 more points to  Phoenix’s lead. Reserve Eric Vandenburg made a few jump shots from the perimeter, the ball hit the ring twice, but didn’t go in both the times.

Small Forward, Jack Kuppens, was rested due to strep- throat. He is expected to play on Friday against The Torrington Christian Academy, the only team that had defeated Phoenix  on regular season last year. 

Phoenix lose to Torrington Christian Academy 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Before the game begin, players of both the teams and fans observed a moment of silence to express our sympathy to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Children and staff, whose lives cut short senselessly, and their grieving families.

Phoenix started the game strongly against the Torrington Christian Academy School. At the end of the first half, Phoenix was leading by two points. Third quarter was competitive, but in the fourth quarter a few successive perimeter shots from the Torrington’s guards shifted the game. Despite the strong start, Phoenix lost the second game 32-43.

Captain Jack Kuppens (F) and Zach Kendall (G) led the Phoenix’s offense with 11 points each. Point guard, Ben Fisch, scored 7 points, and Andrew Clark-Smith (G) added 3 more points. 

On defense, Phoenix lost the momentum during the second half, especially the fourth quarter. Jack effectively guarded Torrington’s lead scorer during the first half; Jack was fouled out three minutes before the end of the game. Andrew was able to stop the right wing offense. Captain, Derk Haldewang, grabbed few crucial rebounds; Ben and Zack Kendall had a couple of good steals. Reserve Gabi Cheng (G) with his usual quick agility guarded the other wing.

Phoenix Slam Glenholme, Kildonan, NY Military Academy

In the last three games, the Phoenix have really shown what they're made of. They brought in three more victories to make their winning record 4-1 for the season. Go Phoenix!

Phoenix beat the New York Military Academy 42-23 

The Phoenix comfortably beat the New York Military Academy 42 -23 on Saturday. This was their third straight win, and this brings the season record to 4-1.

Point Guard, Zach Kendall, led the Phoenix offense with 27 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 steal. Center, Henry Molinari, joined Kendall at the offensive end by adding 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Guard, Zack Bamberger, added 4 points and 5 rebounds. Power forward, Derk Haldewang, took charge of the defense with 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. 

Led by more than 20 points, the second half of the game was predominately played by the subs. The subs managed to keep the lead.

The Phoenix scored 19 points in the second half of the game.

Woodhall Wins over Glenholme 59-37 

The Phoenix bounced back with a home game victory 59-37 against Glenholme.

After the lackluster loss on Saturday against the Upton Lake School (54-71) at the Upton Lake School, the Phoenix rose out of the ashes on Monday with a home game victory (59-37) against the Glenholme School!

Jack Kuppens, small forward, led the Phoenix with 20 points and 10 rebounds, first double-double of the season. He also had 2 blocks, 1 steal, and 1 assist. In the first quarter, Jack received a technical foul for a flagrant illegal contact. The coach pulled him out to the bench to calm him down. When he went back to the court, he played the best game of his career. 

Point guard, Ben Fisch, who didn’t play most part of the first half against the Upton Lake, added 18 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. Derk Haldewang, center, scored 9 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and had 4 blocks. 

The home crowd went berserk when Eric Vandenburg, reserve, received the ball from the point guard and scored a 3 pointer just about an inch outside the three point line. It was a team effort; everyone on the team played, and played well. Zach Bamberger, guard, added 4 points and 1 rebound. Henry Molinari and Daivd Zebersky scored 2 points each. Gabi Cheng added 3 points to the total.

The Phoenix will play against the Strom King School on Wednesday at home. 

Phoenix win back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday (2/6 & 2/7)

The Phoenix earned their 2nd three-game winning streak of the season by defeating the Forman School on Thursday at the Forman court and the Marvelwood School at home court on Wednesday. 

The Phoenix demolished the Marvelwood Pterodactyls with a comfortable margin of 48-29, but the Forman Lions put up a tough battle. The Phoenix were leading by as many as 12 points at half time, but at the second half a few quick three pointers by the Lions cut the lead to a single digit.

At the final minute and a half the Phoenix led only by 3 points, but the ball was in Phoenix’s possession. With some smart ball movements, the Phoenix managed to cut the clock down to 8.1 seconds when Andrew Clark-Smith (F) drew a foul with a lay up attempt. Andrew made one free throw and the Phoenix’s lead jumped to 4 points. The Lions called a time out, but by then the game was pretty much sealed. 

Zach Kendall (G) once again led the Phoenix offense with 29 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Ben Fisch (G) added 12 points, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Andrew Clark –Smith and Gabi Cheng (G) scored 3 points each and grabbed 4 and 3 rebounds respectively. Derk Haldewang led the defense with 6 blocks, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 points. 

The Forman School recognized Zach Kendall for “Honoring The Game”. He was selected as the opponent who best represented the heart and soul of the game.