The Waterbury Times|TWTSPORTS DESK|Published Mar 10, 2026
Correction- faces SMSA not Sheehan in Quarters
Waterbury- The Wilby Wildcats showed the full range of their game Tuesday night, grinding out a hard-fought state tournament victory over New Fairfield Rebels in a matchup that looked nothing like their first-round thriller against Bristol Central Rams.
After struggling to score in their opening round game, Wilby came out aggressive and confident, jumping to a quick 7-0 lead before closing the first quarter ahead 11-7.
Waterbury High School Sports News
But New Fairfield quickly responded in the second quarter.
Finding their rhythm from beyond the arc, the Rebels knocked down a series of deep shots and went on a 10-0 run, turning the game around and grabbing a 17-11 lead. Wilby didn’t panic. Instead, the Wildcats clawed their way back possession by possession, finishing the half on a 15-9 run to tie the game heading into halftime.
The first half showcased Wilby’s balanced attack, with seven different players recording points, a testament to the team’s depth and unselfish play.
Garner Controls the Paint in the Third
The third quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle.
New Fairfield’s Jake Huber and AJ Roman kept the Rebels within striking distance with strong perimeter shooting, but Wilby junior S. Garner took control of the interior. Garner dominated the paint, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the quarter while grabbing six of his 12 rebounds, repeatedly giving the Wildcats second-chance opportunities and defensive stops.
By the end of the quarter, neither team had separated, with the scoreboard locked at 44-44.
Barnes Delivers Again in the Fourth
Just as he did in Wilby’s overtime win over Bristol Central in the opening round, S. Barnes delivered when it mattered most.
The Wildcats finally grabbed the lead early in the fourth quarter and never gave it back. Barnes poured in 7 of his 14 points in the final frame, hitting a series of improbable floaters over taller defenders and attacking the rim for athletic finishes that left New Fairfield players visibly stunned.
More than once, defenders could be seen mouthing the same word after the ball dropped through the net:
“How?”
Barnes also made one of the biggest defensive plays of the night, stepping in to take a charge with under 20 seconds remaining while New Fairfield trailed by four points—essentially sealing the victory.
It was the type of play that has already earned him recognition as First Team All Waterbury Times Sports Desk Defense (2026).
Wildcats Move On
With the win, Wilby advances to the next round of the state tournament and will face the Sheehan Titans who survived a scared against 14 seeded St Mary
For the Wildcats, the night wasn’t just about moving forward—it was about the kind of game these players will remember long after the final buzzer: a comeback, a battle, and a team effort that showed exactly why Wilby remains one of the toughest outs in the tournament.
Want more Waterbury Sports News?
WCA Survives Crosby in Instant Classic, Advances to 4th Straight NVL Title Game
Woodland Completes Undefeated NVL Season with Dominant Win Over Three-Time Defending Champs WCA
The Waterbury Times- Waterbury,CT Local News 
Leave a reply to Wilby Eyes Third Final Four in 30 Years as Wildcats Travel to SMSA Tonight – The Waterbury Times- Waterbury,CT Local News Cancel reply