WOODBURY – With every dribble, pass, and shot there are high expectations in the Shepaug Gymnasium. The rivalry is nothing new: Nonnewaug vs. Shepaug.
As the referees navigate the court with their whistles ready, igniting cheers from the blue attired fans in the crowd supporting NHS players, Nonnewaug’s “Blue Out” game brought plenty of energy and enthusiasm.
The Nonnewaug and Shepaug rivalry has been brewing for decades, dating back to NHS’ inception in 1970, but the competition between the neighboring schools continues to simmer. For those wondering, the intensity of the rivalry was stoked even further with the dramatic event in which a Shepaug student stole Nonnewaug‘s mascot (“The Spoon”) during an intense game years ago, a bold move that stoked renewed competition between the two schools.
This season, Nonnewaug will add fuel to the fire by continuing its “Blue Out” and “Red Out” theme games against Shepaug.
“I knew Nonnewaug and Shepaug were rivals but it didn’t really register until after the fact,” said Freshman Jazlyn Delprincipe, a JV player on the Nonnewaug girls basketball team who played in the rivalry game. “When the coaches said there are more transportation buses for the fans it really made me think about the rivalry more deeply; at that point I started to do more research on why this was such a big deal to Nonnewaug students when I was told about how a Shepaug student stole our unofficial mascot like seriously how dare that mess with the spoon.”
This fierce rivalry is certainly unforgettable. However this competitive spirit sets the stage for Nonnewaug‘s annual Red Out Game in which the pride of our school community harmonizes, creating an enthusiastic energy throughout the crowd.
“I love the Red Out game because it goes to a good cause,” said Emma Jackson, a captain of the girls basketball team who plays on varsity. “The Red Out Game goes to the LLS
[Leukemia & Lymphoma Society] cause. I remember last year we raised over $38,000 dollars. I know it’s not just about the money but it’s also about us as a school community as a whole.”
The next chapter of the Red Out will be in February where Nonnewaug once again takes on Shepaug.
“My favorite memory from last year’s Red Out game was when one of the students dressed up as Moses from the bible and banged the spoon (our mascot) against the floor separating the student section in half,” said Jackson.
Despite the fact Shepaug won this month’s matchups, with the exception of JV boys’ outcome, NHS students suspect that things would have had a different turn of events if some key players were not injured.
Senor Lincoln Nichols, a varsity player on the boys basketball team believes that if some player such as Derek Chung wasn’t injured and if he wasn’t sick for the Shepaug game there would have been a completely different outcome considering the “Blue Out” crowd was behind them.
“I for sure think that there would have been a different outcome, ” said Nichols. “It is definitely harder when doing certain plays because we are working around injuries and I feel like the team, myself included, are so used to certain people doing certain plays. However I do think that it also gives other players a chance to really prove themselves which gives everyone and even playing field so yes it is unfortunate but we are doing our best to remain positive. ”
The Red Out game is also important beyond the school community purposes. Last year planners created this cause to raise money and awareness for LLS patients. Beyond rivalry, creating memories, and being brought together as a school community the Red Out game also serves as a charity for a good cause. This shows that the Red Out game has more than just one purpose.
“I feel the Red Out had a pretty good turn of events,” said Gavin Sandor. “Andrew Grivner and I wanted to do something that would get everyone involved that wasn’t just one grade participating because before the Red Out Game pep rallies here weren’t very popular here. I agree but not only did Gavin and I want to do something that everyone would enjoy, we wanted everyone to participate because everything went to a good cause and I feel we did exactly that.”
The 2025 Red Out Game takes place in the Nonnewaug gymnasium on February 7th against Shepaug once and for all. With the recovery of some players NHS students are confident that the NHS basketball teams will triumph in the last home game of the season.
“I think the pride in our school will really motivate the players,” said freshman Seren Kuijstermans. “All aside I have never really been to a basketball game but I am so excited to witness my first Red Out Game. I have heard so much about the past ones and it really gets me excited to be part of it.”
