By Laura McCusker

The Brookfield boys basketball team continues its learning process and continues to improve, according to its coach. There were some stretches of fine play, but the squad took two losses in the past week, against two strong SWC teams, Pomperaug (8-4) and Kolbe (12-1).

The Bobcats hosted the Panthers last Friday night, and took a 59-41 loss.

Brookfield played a very competitive first quarter against the Panthers, trailing by just a field goal, 15-13, at the buzzer. In the second, however, the home team was outscored by a 17-8 margin, and could never make up the deficit.

“We came unraveled during the second,” said Bobcats coach Wayne Thrall. “I think our youth and overall inexperience is our Achilles heel at the moment.”

Nick Paez was responsible for more than half his team’s offense, pumping in 21 points, and was the only Bobcats player in double figures.

Thrall was encouraged by what he saw for some of the game, and is looking for his team to put it together for a whole 32 minutes.

“We’ve played between 20-24 minutes of quality basketball over the past two weeks, so I’m proud of my kids and their work ethic,” said the coach. “We just need to get over the hump and put a full game together.”

On Tuesday, Brookfield lost a 67-44 match at Kolbe.

The Bobcats were behind, 38-17, at halftime. After discussing strategy during the break, the visitors got some points back in the third quarter.

“We made a few adjustments and came out and played some very disciplined ball on both ends in the third,” said Thrall. “We cut the deficit to 12 midway through, but our youth showed as we gave those points right back due to poor decisions as a result of pressure, and we were never able to threaten in the fourth.”

Dan Burkhart and Paez both scored 10 points.

“I thought our younger guys, Dan, Joe (Aquanita), Ryan (Korb) and Ralph, stepped up and played well for us,” said the coach.

The Bobcats will be at Stratford tonight, and will host New Fairfield on Tuesday.