Warde Cagers Posted Stunning Upset Over Norwalk 59 Years Ago Today

An inspired Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team scored a stunning 63-55 upset victory over Norwalk in an FCIAC game at the winners' court on this date, Thursday, January 12, 1967.

The victory boosted Warde into a tie for second place in the Eastern Division of the FCIAC with idle New Canaan. Both teams have 5-3 records. Norwalk still leads the division with a 6-3 mark.

A late fourth-quarter rally, sparked by Dan Haines, carried the Crimson Eagles to victory. Haines, who was held to just seven points in the first three quarters, poured in nine markers in the final eight-minute session.

Norwalk held a 45-44 edge entering the fourth quarter. The Green Wave extended its lead to five points at 52-47 behind the shooting of Jim Burey. Then, Warde went to work as Mike Corbett stole a pass and converted the theft into a basket to open the Eagles' closing drive.

Minutes later, Jim Howard put coach Wes Aldrich's cagers ahead for keeps, 53-52, as he was credited with a basket on a goaltending call against Norwalk.

Once they gained the lead, the Crimson Eagles didn't let up. Haines, Howard, Corbett, Tom DeLuca, and Rich Fekete operated al amost perfect "freeze" offense as the Eagles worked the ball around until they had a good shot. The strategy worked so well that Warde engineered an impressive eight-point margin of victory.

The Eagles' pressing man-to-man defense kept the usually high-scoring Norwalk offense off balance throughout the game. The Green Wave averaged 70.2 points-per-game entering the contest.

Corbett and DeLuca were the top ball hawks as Warde made 16 steals, including six in the crucial fourth period. Fekete turned in a sensational defensive job on Willie Miller --- the visitors' top scorer with a 15.8 average --- holding him scoreless.

The first three quarters were closely contested. Warde led after the first frame, 16-14, and the score was tied at 31 apiece at the intermission. Norwalk assumed a one point lead, 45-44, after three quarters.

Howard took game scoring honors with 21 points, and he grabbed 14 rebounds. Haines followed with 16 points, while Fekete (12)and Corbett (10) also scored in double figures for the Crimson Eagles. Fekete added nine rebounds.

Burey was the most consistent Norwalk shooter, finishing with a team-high 15 points, followed by Gary O'Malley with 12 points.

Paul

Charity Tosses Helped Warde Defeat Staples 59 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team converted 33 foul shots to hand Staples a 71-50 FCIAC setback at the Wreckers' court 59 years ago today, Tuesday, January 10, 1967.

The Crimson Eagles led at all the quarter breaks to build a commanding lead. Warde improved to 4-3 in conference play while the Wreckers fell to 0-7.

Jim Howard, who connected on 18 foul shots, made six in the opening period as Warde assumed a 13-11 advantage. Jeff Hand scored six points for the hosts.

Hand and Bob Rummel were forced to the bench in the second quarter because of foul trouble. Howard and Rich Fekete combined for 17 points as the guests pulled out to a 34-20 halftime advantage.

With Hand and Rummel back on the court in the third quarter, Staples sliced its deficit to six points, but both Wrecker stars eventually fouled out before the end of the stanza. Warde increased its lead to 49-34 after three quarters.

Dan Haines, Tom DeLuca, Mike Howard, and Jim Howard combined for 18 points in the final chapter to keep the Crimson Eagles comfortably ahead. John Hand netted six points for Staples.

Warde converted 33 of 42 free throws for 79% accuracy compared to 14 of 20 and 70% accuracy for Staples.

The Eagles also triumphed in the junior varsity game, 54-41.

Paul

Crimson Eagles Survived Cold Shooting Night to Deafeat Danbury on This Date 63 Years Ago

The Andrew Warde High School boys' varsity basketball team survived cold shooting and the 19-point effort of Charles Bogusis to hand Danbury a 68-60 loss in the Hat City, Tuesday, January 8, 1963.

The win was the fifth in eight starts for the Crimson Eagles. Coach Don Feeley's cagers improved to 4-2 in conference play.

The teams were tied at 12-12 after the first quarter, but Bogusis, a six-foot-seven inch, 208-pounder, nicknamed 'Baby Huey,' tossed in 10 points in the second quarter to pace the Hatters to a 30-26 lead at the half. Bob Ryan and Marty Melson combined for 10 Warde points in the second period.

Warde began to roll in the third period, though. Pete Jankovsky found his scoring touch for 10 points, and the visitors assumed a 44-40 cushion heading into the final period.

The scoring tempo increased for both sides in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles had the better of it as Wayne Gower, Jankovsky, and Ryan accounted for 22 points. Bill Coffey, Elmer Harrison, and 'Baby Huey' combined for 18 Danbury points.

The Crimson Eagles ultimately won the game at the foul line by sinking 12-of-21 free throws, compared to four-of-12 for the Hatters. Bogusis had 10 of the Danbury charity tosses, but he converted only three as he was continually fouled by the smaller Eagles.

Warde won the junior varsity game as Rusty Helgren scored 19 points and George Amarant added 10 for the Crimson Eagles.

Paul

Crimson Eagles' Cagers Humbled Ludlowe at Mill Plain Gym 63 Years Ago This Week

Coach Don Feeley's Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team humbled winless arch-rival Roger Ludlowe, 71-48, before a standing-room only crowd at the Mill Plain Gym 63 years ago this week, Friday, January 4, 1963.

The Crimson Eagles improved to 4-3 on the season, including three wins in five FCIAC contests, while Ludlowe lost its sixth game, five of which were in league play.

Warde led throughout the contest, doubling the Tigers' first quarter production by taking a 20-10 lead at the break as Wayne Gower and Bob Ryan scored six points each. George Martin, Ludlowe's high scorer, tallied seven points for his team.

The Tigers gave their best account in the second stanza, but Warde still managed to increase its lead, assuming a 35-22 cushion at the intermission. Joel Blaskey and Marty Melson each scored six points to lead their respective clubs.

Gower found the range for 17 points in the second half as the Crimson Eagles had things pretty much their own way. Martin and Blaskey again topped Ludlowe in scoring after the intermission.

Ludlowe, which had an edge in rebounding, was able to convert only 14 of 32 foul shots, but Warde sank 21 of 33 free throw attempts.

Ludlowe used a zone defense throughout the game, but Warde came out of its zone in the second quarter and went the rest of the way with a man-to-man defense.

AWHS Class of 1976 50-Year Reunion Planned for August at Vazzy's 19th Hole in Fairfield

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1976 will hold its 50-year reunion Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 6:00 until 10:00 p.m. at Vazzy's 19th Hole at Fairchild Wheeler in Fairfield. The event includes a dinner buffet and dancing.

Click the photo below to visit the class Facebook page for more information.

Paul