The Starting Five: rare reminder Local Athletes of the Week

Connor Konopka: Middletown/Rocky Hill (Ice Hockey): Konopka netted a hat trick as the Terriers defeated Northeastern 7-1 in Bolton on Dec. 18. The three goals from the Middletown senior were aided by the four other goals scored by Brody Davidson, Owen Davidson, Dom Violette, and Jacob Nelson. 
 
Matthew Ruck: Wethersfield (Ice Hockey): Ruck stopped 33 shots, registering his third career shutout, as the Eagles blanked Simsbury 2-0 on Dec. 18. The sophomore goalie was flawless in net, while seniors Colby Quinn (shorthanded) and Will McCarter (empty net) provided the goals for Wethersfield.  
 
Adela Cecunjanin: Cromwell (Basketball): Cecunjanin delivered a pair of gems last week as Cromwell won their first two games. The junior scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and blocked four shots as the Panthers opened the season with a 39-29 win at Newtown. She then scored 12 more, hauled down a dozen rebounds, and blocked six shots in a 50-27 win over Haddam-Killingworth.  
 
Tyah Pettaway: Middletown (Basketball): Pettaway scored a team-high 21 points as Middletown opened the season with a 63-50 victory over Hall on Dec. 14 and then followed it up with a 15-point performance in a 60-46 win over Manchester on Dec. 17. The senior guard is teaming with fellow senior Shadae Bushay, who scored 35 in the two wins, to form a dynamic one-two scoring punch.  
 
Tyler Leavitt: Newington/Manchester (Hockey): Leavitt scored a pair of goals and dished out a pair of assists at the Newington co-op started the season with two wins. The senior from Manchester had an assist as the Nor’easters opened the season with a 3-0 shutout of Norwalk on Dec. 15 and then scored two goals and had another assist in a 5-3 win over Eastern CT on Dec. 18.