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The month of January is almost done, which means that we’re hitting the home stretch of events for the winter season. There have been a number of storylines that have availed themselves thus far this year, and I think those are worth exploring.

So without further ado, the list of storylines for Fairfield varsity sports.

1. Weather. I’d be remiss if I did not include the bizarre amount of snow that we’ve gotten here in Connecticut. The No. 1 storyline this winter has been off days, and cancellations and postponements. I (like the rest of us) am sick of the snow, and here’s hoping that we don’t have to endure much more of it.

2. Successful boys basketball teams. Prep is 9-3, ND is 10-1, Ludlowe is 6-4 in the FCIAC and Warde is competitive. The 2010-11 season seems to be the best we’ve had in town in quite some time, or at least since there became four high schools again. I’d be surprised if all four didn’t make the state playoffs, and the possibility is there for three of the teams to make their conference playoffs, which for Ludlowe or Prep, is quite the feat.

3. Growing pains. ND-Fairfield’s hockey team is suffering through its worst start in years. The Ludlowe girls basketball team has lost five straight games and Warde’s girls team has lost three straight as well. All three teams have struggled without enough veteran presences, but the longer these seasons go, the more I’d expect them to improve and battle.

4. Milestones. Warde girls basketball coach Dave Danko won his 300th career game on Jan. 10 against Staples. Warde’s Ryan Swaller, Ludlowe’s Sarah Huntington and Brian Silvestro and Prep’s Leo Redgate all got their first varsity wins as head coaches. These accomplishments have made the 2010-11 season worth more to these coaches.

More storylines will naturally avail themselves as the season progresses. Plus, with the playoffs rolling around, the fun is undoubtedly just beginning.

Follow me on Twitter for more and hope you all can stay warm. Take good care.

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I know that I’m simply a community sports editor, but I’m sure that the Fairfield community was heavily invested in the Patriots vs. Jets game yesterday in Foxborough. I know my friends (who are all either Pats or Jets fans) were, and me being a Giants fan, and a naturally neutral observer, developed some thoughts.

1.) The present-day Pats are the early 2000s Yankees. Look at the regular season records. The similarities are eerie, right down to the 2001 Yankees and 2007 Patriots both blew championship games in the Arizona valley. The 2004 Yankees and 2011 Pats both gagged at home to their staunchest (and loudest) rivals after memorable regular season meetings. Both teams had (or have had) regular season success and unmitigated playoff failings. The Pats haven’t won a playoff game during the Obama administration and in that span, the Jets are 4-1 in the playoffs.

2.) The Jets tackling saved the day. The Pats tried to dink and dunk the ball down the field, and guys like Eric Smith, who had been a goat since taking over for Jim Leonhard at safety in week 13, saved the day. The Jets pressured Tom Brady and, more imporatntly, got him to the ground five times. As a fan, you always hold your breath when Brady drops back to pass, knowing that the big play is always possible. The Jets secondary kept the big play from happening, and their tackling made sure the small plays were not big ones.

3.) Mark Sanchez is a gamer. He makes some throws that make you scream, but when it matters, he makes plays. That is a cliche, but cliches are true for a reason. He made the throw to Braylon Edwards last week on the Jets’ final drive, and he made a huge connection with Jerricho Cotchery when the Pats had crept back into the game at 14-11. He’s inaccurate at times, and young at times, but he’s only in his second year, and has twice led his team to the AFC Championship Game. That has to count for something.

4.) Rex Ryan outcoached Bill Belichick. There’s no disputing this. Pats fans can’t even argue it. Belichick’s decision to fake punt in the waning seconds of the first half was inexcusable. The Pats’ offense’s inability to move any faster on their now infamous seven-minute drive in the fourth quarter was due to the Jets executing Ryan’s game plan. Even the Jets “faked injuries” served as gamesmanship and kept the Pats offense from controlling tempo. Ryan wanted the pressure on him all week, and he backed it up. There’s no disputing that.

Which leads me to wonder…

5.) What has happened to Belichick? He was the mad scientist, whose teams always showed up in playoff games and outworked and outexecuted teams, especially in crunch time. Now he’s been twice outcoached at home in winnable playoff games in successive years. Maybe the Pats team wasn’t that good this year, but they won Super Bowls being “not that good” and outworking teams. Do you honestly mean to tell me that five years ago if the Pats were down 14-11 with one quarter to win a home playoff game they wouldn’t have done it? No.

Maybe this is just a function of the NFL playoffs, and anything CAN happen in one game, but something is clearly amiss in Patriot nation.

6.) Jets fans shouldn’t get cocky. I don’t know if any of the ones who have suffered through the years will, but the win over the Pats is just the beginning. They were in this situation a year ago and lost. The real celebration comes if the Jets can exorcise the demons of three  AFC Championship losses, including two in which they’ve had a halftime lead. The Jets can be confident that they’ve beaten the Steelers this year at Heinz Field, but anything can happen in one game.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and e-mail me or comment to vote for the greatest Fairfield athlete of all time. Some of the suggestions have been great. Keep them coming and have a great day!

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I know that I’ve fallen off of the horse as far as this space is concerned. But I’ve come up with (what I think) is a pretty pertinent topic for a blog.

Who, in your opinion, is the best athlete in Fairfield town history?

It could be an athlete who is from Fairfield (James Blake or JJ Henry), it could be an athlete who played here in high school (Ted or Chris Drury), it could be someone who played here in college (Amanda Pape or Joe DeSantis).

It could be someone who is currently playing in high school or college, or someone who dates back further than I can remember. You, the readers, have all the influence, so I leave it to you.

Feel free to comment to this post, or e-mail me with your selections. Hope you guys have a little fun with this little project.

Prep wins holiday tourney

I know that the Jesuits are undefeated still, but they shocked everyone by beating ND-Fairfield in the final of their holiday tournament. I give major props to the team for overachieving so far, and being one win away from the state playoffs.

Sounds like the Prep kids are in shape and ready to roll this year. Warde beat Ludlowe in the consolation game. The Mustangs have won four of five since their dreadful opening night loss to Stamford.

Warde are Burger kings

The Mustangs’ defense dominated Ludlowe in the Todd Burger final. I was pleased to see it be an all-Fairfield affair, especially since Ludlowe avenged a loss earlier in the year to Brien McMahon. Good to hear that Todd’s family was there too. They are often there in support of the tournament.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter for updates and scores of games in Fairfield. Feel free to tweet at me your selection for the best athlete in Fairfield history as well. Happy New Year.