Capacity Crowd Watches Warde Beat Notre Dame, 72-65, at Holiday Festival on This Date in 1973

Phil Ness and the Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team stifled a Notre Dame comeback bid in the closing minutes and held on for a 72-65 victory in the opening round of the Fairfield Festival basketball tournament before a capacity crowd of 3,100 fans at Fairfield University's Alumni Hall, Thursday, December 27, 1973.

Trailing 52-44 entering the final eight minutes, the Lancers went to work. Dave Lehn, a six-foot-two senior forward, scored 17 of his 30 points in the final chapter on an assortment of long-range bombs as Notre Dame managed to grab a short-lived 59-58 lead at the 4:21 mark. Lehn's three-point play at that point put the Lancers ahead.

The lead see-sawed back and forth until Bob Neilson tallied a pair of free throws with 1:37 remaining to give the Crimson Eagles a 66-65 advantage they never relinquished. Ness blocked three shots during the final minute of play and made a pair of steals to ice the verdict. The six-foot-seven center finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocked shots, and 10 steals.

Ness was aided by Ron DelBianco, who chipped in with 18 points, and Bob Cleveland with 11 markers. Lehn received support from sophomore Tommy Burbank, who scored 12, and Kelly Lombard with 10. Warde managed quarter leads of 19-16, 42-27, and 52-44 before the frantic final minutes of play.

John Lademan's steal of an errant pass with seven seconds remaining lifted Fairfield Prep to a narrow 64-60 victory over a scrappy Ludlowe outfit in the nightcap.

Paul

Warde Cagers Improved to 5-1 in FCIAC by Defeating Danbury, 80-56, 48 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's high-scoring duo of Rusty Helgren and Bruce Bernhard powered the Crimson Eagles to a relatively easy 80-56 victory over Danbury in FCIAC basketball action 48 years ago today, Tuesday, December 22, 1964. It was Warde's fifth victory in six league contests.

Helgren tallied 21 points and Bernhard added 20 to lead head coach Don Feeley's charges. Feeley, you may remember, would later coach at the collegiate level at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

The winners jumped out to a 21-8 cushion after the first quarter and held a commanding 32-20 lead at the halftime intermission. The Crimson Eagles featured a balanced attack with eight players reaching the scoring column.

Danbury's attempt to put on a press in the third and fourth quarters failed as Helgren moved inside and clicked for 13 points during the stretch. Bernhard chipped in with nine more as the Eagles coasted to the victory in Danbury on December 22, 1964.

Paul

Annual Sing-Along Honors Newtown Tragedy Victims

To honor and remember those lost in Newtown on December 14, the singers, musicians and audience gathered for the Sixth Annual Community Christmas Carol Sing-Along in Bridgeport on Sunday, December 16, took time to reflect on the tragedy in song and silent meditation.

At the very outset of the program, soprano Lucia Palmieri, pictured below, performed Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and all gathered in a moment of silence immediately after her solo. Tony Procaccini, the day’s music director and a fellow Andrew Warde 1976 classmate, accompanied her on piano. The sing-along then began in earnest.

Due to inclement weather, the event, which grows in strength and numbers each year, took place indoors at the former Knights of Columbus Hall on Park Avenue, directly across from Saint Margaret Shrine, the usual outdoor venue.

The volunteer chorus, which numbered around 30, was the largest ever, and included citizens from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Trumbull, Stamford and other local communities. Notwithstanding the uncooperative weather, audience attendance was very high, too.

Songs included Christmas carols such as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” and popular songs like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Jingle Bells.” Santa Claus appeared for the children, and a free reception followed the singing.

Reverend Alfonso Picone, of Saint Margaret Parish, gave a stirring tribute to the Newtown victims, and gave thanks to all the participants who made the event a success.

Leonard Paoletta, a former Bridgeport mayor and the founder of the sing-along's sponsor, B.A.C.I.O., Inc., reminded all of the upcoming celebration of the birth of Christ and wished all a joyful Christmas.

The chorus was supported by a professional brass quartet led my trumpeter Mike Pontecorvo, his brother Louis (also on trumpet) and trombonist Leroy Loomer and tubist Dave Rapposo.

A great time was had by all, but more importantly, the sad events of Newtown, which occurred so shortly before the sing-along, were kept in perspective, and given time for reflection.

Ron DelBianco Eclipsed 1,000 Point Career Mark in Victory Over Stamford 39 Years Ago This Week

Senior Ron DelBianco scored seven points in the last three minutes to eclipse the 1,000 point career mark, and teammate Phil Ness converted two three-point plays during that same span to lead the Andrew Warde High School varsity basketball team to a 77-64 FCIAC victory over Stamford at the winners' court 39 years ago this week, Friday evening, December 21, 1973.

DelBianco, who needed 14 points heading into the game to crack the prestigious plateau, suffered through some jittery moments in pursuit of the mark, but finished with 20 points, giving him 1,006 for his career. His two clutch free throws with 3:15 left in the game gave the winners a ten-point lead, 62-52, and also vaulted him into the Warde record book.

Stamford, which fell to 1-2, had narrowed a 20-point second half deficit to eight points on a free throw by Forrest Andrews at the 3:30 mark. DelBianco subsequently canned his foul shots, and then came back moments later to complete a three-point play, stretching the lead to 11 at 65-54. Ness, who finished with a team-high 23 points and 25 rebounds, sandwiched his six points around a Stamford bucket to put the Crimson Eagles safely in front, 71-58, with two minutes left.

Warde had to contest with Stamford's Ernie Cobb all night as the Black Knights' rubber-armed guard fired in 37 points. He converted 17 of 42 shots. Cobb's 10 points enabled the visitors to hold a 17-15 first quarter lead, but he cooled down in the second stanza when Warde outscored the guests, 16-1, in the last three-and-a-half-minutes for a 38-29 lead at the intermission.

Reserve guard Bob Sherman keyed Warde's second period surge by scoring ten points in the last four minutes of the quarter. The junior also helped solve Stamford's full-court zone press, which riddled the winners in the early stages of the contest. He finished with 16 points and also turned in a fine defensive effort, helping to harrass Cobb on his jump shots from long range.

Both teams were cold in the third period, but Warde managed to add three points to its nine point halftime advantage for a 53-41 lead entering the final stanza. Cobb tallied 10 of his team's 12 points in the period.

Brad Gold helped out Ness with 11 caroms. The winners outshot the Black Knights, 48 percent to 35 percent.

Warde captured the jayvee contest, 54-53, behind Tom Curry's 15 point performance.

Paul

Warde Skaters Earned Tie With Stamford Catholic 39 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School ice hockey team played to a 2-2 tie against Stamford Catholic High School in its third game of the season, Saturday, December 15, 1973, in Stamford.

Joseph Hamilton and Andy Larsen scored for the Crimson Eagles, with assists from Craig Benak. The Warde ice hockey team became a member of the highly-competitive Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference in 1973-74, one year after coach Arnie Larsen established the program. The league included 14 teams and two divisions.

Warde outshot the hosts, 25-10, overall, but could not manage to tally the go-ahead goal due to outstanding netminding by the Crusaders.

Following the tie, the Eagles record stood at one win, one loss, and one tie in FCIAC competition. Read more about the Crimson Eagles' exciting 1973-74 season by clicking this link.

Paul

Dan Haines Led Warde Cagers to 72-55 Victory Over Darien 46 Years Ago Today

An aggressive and pressing defense in the second and third periods helped the Warde varsity basketball team to a 72-55 victory over Darien on the Blue Wave court 46 years ago today, Tuesday, December 13, 1966.

Trailing 14-11 after the first quarter, the Crimson Eagles erased the Darien lead and gained a 31-25 halftime advantage. Warde's pressing defense caused several ball control errors, while Dan Haines scored ten points in the second stanza.

Jim Howard, who led both teams in rebounding with 15 boards, notched six points in the third period as the visitors increased their lead to 50-38. Mike Corbett netted eight points in the final frame to boost Warde to its final margin of victory.

Haines finished with 20 points, while Jim Howard and Corbett split 32 points. Rich Fekete added 11 markers and grabbed 11 caroms to join with Howard in providing Warde with a 38-27 edge under the boards.

Warde, which won its second game of the season, connected on 44 percent of its field goal tries and 76 percent of its free throws. Darien clicked on only 38 percent of its shots from the floor and 69 percent from the charity stripe.

Darien managed to cop the junior varsity tilt, 69-67, in overtime.

Paul

Warde Alumnus to Lead Sixth Annual Christmas Carol Community Sing-Along in Bridgeport

The sixth annual Christmas Carol Community Sing-Along will take place this coming Sunday, December 16, at 3:00 p.m., at Saint Margaret’s Shrine, 2539 Park Avenue in Bridgeport.

The inclement weather venue will be either the Embassy Towers, 2625 Park Avenue, or another next-door venue which will be indicated by a sign visible to passing cars. A free reception follows.

Volunteer singers and a brass quartet will be led by Music Director Tony Procaccini of Saint Emery Church, Fairfield. Children are especially welcome, since a “special visitor” from the North Pole is expected.

Those interested in singing should contact Tony as soon as possible at 718-873-7421 or by email at aprocaccini@juno.com. A brief rehearsal will take place at 2 p.m. on the concert date. The photo below is from last year's concert.

Procaccini, pictured above in the suit jacket singing, developed the music program for the sing-along at its 2007 inception, and conducted all sing-alongs through 2010. Last year, however, he took a back seat to a talented young percussionist and composer, Brian Ente of Bridgeport.

Paul

Crimson Eagles' Hoopsters Clobbered Bunnell to Open Boys' Basketball Season 46 Years Ago This Week

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team defeated Bunnell High School in Stratford, 79-58, to open the season 46 years ago this week, Friday, December 9, 1966. It was one of four inter-league games between schools from the Fairfield County Athletic Conference and Metropolitan Bridgeport Athletic Conference.

Five Warde starters finished in double-digit scoring as the visiting Eagles jumped out to a 36-19 first half lead and then held on to defeat Bunnell at the Bulldogs' court.

Jim Howard's 23 points paced the Warde offense, while Dan Haines was next with 17. Tom DeLuca hit for 13, and Dick Fekete and Mike Corbett each tallied 10.

Warde Cagers Won Season Lidlifter at Trumbull High School 50 Years Ago Today

Led by the hot shooting of co-captain Pete Jankovsky, Andrew Warde High School's varsity basketball team caught fire in the fourth quarter and overcame an eight-point deficit to post a 71-58 triumph over Trumbull in the season-opener for both teams at the Golden Eagles' court, Tuesday, December 4, 1962.

Jankovsky, who finished as the game's high scorer with seven field goals and five free throws, connected for 15 points on five field goals and five charity tosses during the closing surge by Coach Don Feeley's Crimson Eagles.

Strong rebounding and timely scoring by center Marty Melson and forward Wayne Gower also contributed heavily to the brilliant Warde comeback that completely turned the tide of battle. Trailing by a 46-38 margin at the close of the third quarter, the visiting Fairfield cagers outscored their hosts, 33-12, in the closing period, and broke the game wide open during the final two minutes of play.

John Honey Heading to College?

Mr. John Honey, who taught Science for 37 years at Andrew Warde High School before moving over to cross-town rival Ludlowe in 2004, is hoping to teach at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport.

Honey taught at Ludlowe this past school year and would welcome the opportunity to teach at HCC, based on a brief conversation I had with him last week. The veteran secondary school Science teacher began his career at Warde in the mid 1960s.