Wreckers Girls FCIAC Title Hopes Ended by Greenwich
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For an update with today’s State Tournament results, scroll down to bottom of page
The Staples Girls basketball team, after a stellar regular season going 20-2, saw their hopes for an FCIAC title dashed by a Greenwich team which had defeated them with their first loss in January. The Cardinals earned their first FCIAC tournament title in 38 years on Wednesday night at Fairfield University’s Leo D. Mahoney arena by topping the Wreckers 65-49.
The Wreckers entered the final having decisively defeated Ridgefield and Stamford in the first two rounds, but had no answer for Greenwich sophomore center and tournament MVP Zuri Faison who led all scorers with 27 points, and Maddie Utzinger whose 22 points earned most of the Cardinals scoring. Greenwich had won their last nine games and seemed comfortable in the somewhat intimidating environs of the Fairfield University Mahoney Arena which seats 3,500 fans.
The Wreckers were tentative from the opening jump and were unable to penetrate the Cardinal defense, closing the first quarter with only two points and found themselves down by 10. The second period continued to challenge Staples on both offense and defense and at the half, their deficit increased to 14.
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The Wreckers head coach Tommy Sparks told WestportLocalPress, “It took us a bit to get acclimated to the moment. We started out a little flat. Offensively, Greenwich made it tough for us to get into our sets and also slowed down our transition game. In the second half, we were able to get into a decent flow offensively but couldn't get any stops on the defensive end. The girls battled until the end but we dug ourselves in too deep of a hole in the 1st half.”
As they have done all year, Senior Captain Freya Harvey and Junior Captain Chloe Smith provided much of the Wreckers scoring, with 19 and 22 points respectively with each player drain three from beyond the arc.
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The team huddles up during a time out as Coach Sparks tries change the direction of the game and urge the girls to focus and try to recover from the deficit.
The Wreckers girls under Sparks, in his second season as head coach reached the FCIAC finals for the first time since 2020. In summarizing this season he told WLP, “ We are very pleased with the team's efforts throughout the season. As a team, we knew that we had the capability of having the year that we had. The team did a good job of staying focused throughout the season and preparing the right way. We feel that this group has done a a great job of building off of last year and has continued to set the foundation for the program. In addition to team success, this group has also helped to cultivate positive relationships and ignite excitement with players at the youth level. We are proud of the team's resilience and growth throughout the season.”
Although disappointed with this loss, Head Coach Sparks is looking to the CIAC State Tourney, saying, “We've put the regular season and the FCIAC playoffs behind us. We know that we have to shift our focus onto our next opponent and elevate ourselves to be prepared for them. We are excited for the state tournament. We are confident that we can play well.”
The Wreckers Cheerleaders try to rally the crowd which had gone quiet as the Cardinals continued to control the game.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Wrecker Girls recover from FCIAC final loss dominating Lyman Hall with a 59-30 victory. They next host Fairfield Warde whom they soundly defeated in their January regular season game by a similar score of 57-26.
WRECKERS WIN SECOND FCIAC CHAMPIONSHIP IN TWO YEARS!
The Staples Wreckers Boys Remain Undefeated With 62-48 Victory Over Ridgefield Tigers
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com
Last night marked a repeat showdown between the Staples Wreckers and the Ridgefield Tigers, who met in the FCIAC title game last year when Staples won 68-58. These two teams also met just one week prior, with Staples topping Ridgefield 67-49 in the last regular season game.
In front of a packed house at the beautiful Leo Mahoney arena on the campus of Fairfield University, the #1 seeded Wreckers, wearing home-whites, squared off against the #3 Tigers, donning their black away uniforms.
The Wreckers look confident as they enter the stadium followed by the playing of the National Anthem.
The Wreckers huddle up just before they take the floor to defend their FCIAC Championship
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com
To start off the game, junior Staples guard Austin Heyer ( 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist) drove baseline and scored a layup on the first possession of the game to break the ice. Ridgefield responded on their first offensive possession with a floater from junior guard Jayson Genova (27 points) that would be an early sign of things to come. After multiple possessions of excellent spacing, cutting, and sharing the basketball from the Wreckers, Ridgefield burned their first timeout down 8-3.
The Wreckers “6th Man” was in full force at the Mahoney Arena.
Staples would then extend their lead to 11-3 after senior Sam Clachko (13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) rifled a pass from the left wing to the opposite corner to connect with junior Dhilan Lowman (7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist) for a three. The first quarter concluded with yet another Clachko layup to make the score 16-7.
Ridgefield started off the second quarter with 2 quick baskets, one by senior Jacob Hankla (3 points, 4 rebounds) and another by Genova. Staples responded with a nice drive and dish from Heyer to senior Mason Tobias (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists). A couple baskets by Tiger senior Jack Winstanley (10 points, 4 rebounds) and a very deep three by Genova made the score 22-18 Staples with under 3 minutes to go before the half.
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Staples would respond with 2 more quick layups by Heyer, and a fundamental pump-fake followed by a layup by Wrecker sophomore Henry Veissid (5 points, 1 assist). Genova would continue his individual tear in the second quarter by drilling this third three in row past the red college three-point line to make the score 27-25 in favor of Staples at the half.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com
The second half got underway with a made free throw by Tobias and a layup on the other end by Winstanley. Staples senior Matty Corrigan (11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) displayed his versatility in the third quarter, scoring 6 points in a row off of made free throws, a made three-pointer, and a strong contested layup in the paint. Genova then responded with an and-one layup to make the score 39-35 Staples with just over 3 minutes to go in the third quarter.
Staples responded with an impressive shot fake and dish at the last second of his jumpshot from Clachko to Tobias to make the score 43-39. Steals and layups from both Tobias and Clachko were then followed up by a pull-up made jumper by Genova to make the score 47-41 as the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the third quarter.
Staples responded with an impressive shot fake and dish at the last second of his jumpshot from Clachko to Tobias to make the score 43-39. Steals and layups from both Tobias and Clachko were then followed up by a pull-up made jumper by Genova to make the score 47-41 as the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the third quarter.
Ridgefield would draw first blood in the fourth quarter with a made free throw and three-pointer by Genova to make the score 47-45 with 6:30 left in the ball game. A layup by Clachko followed by an and-one from Corrigan gave the Wreckers some breathing room as Staples led 52-45 with 5:20 to go. After being able to eat some clock, Tobias drilled 2 free throws to make the score 56-48 with 1:52 left. 3 missed consecutive field goal attempts by Genova followed by a Heyer layup with 59 seconds to go to make the score 59-48 made the Staples faithful really start to feel it coming.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com
Staples would not look back, capping of a 62-48 win to be the first FCIAC boys basketball team to repeat as FCIAC champions since Ridgefield, who won 4 in a row from 2019 to 2022. The Staples season is not over, as they now shift their focus to the division 1 state tournament as the #1 seed, squaring off against #16 Manchester on March 10 at 6:00 PM at Staples High School.
With The Victory Secured, The Celebration Begins!
Starting Five with Their Medals & Plaques: Dhilan Lowman, Sam Clachko, Mason Tobias, Austin Heyer, Matty Corrigan
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com
Wreckers Girls & Boys Both Victorious In FCIAC Basketball Tourney Opener
On Saturday Staples Basketball scored two wins in the FCIAC tournament opening round, with Freya Harvey and Addie Talbott leading the girls with 11 points each in their 52-36 win.
Leading the boys in their 68-55 victory were Sam Clachko with 21 points and Mason Tobias who added 18 more.
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The Westhill Vikings stand and face the Flag during the singing of the National Anthem.
In a rematch of foes that met just 8 days earlier, the #1 seeded Staples Wreckers welcomed the #8 seeded Westhill Vikings to "The Junkyard." This marked the first time that an FCIAC quarterfinal game had been played at the higher-seeded team's home court since 2021, when COVID regulations were still in effect. That game back on February 20 started out with Staples up 19-3 and then never looking back, culminating in a 69-47 victory just 8 days previous. This game today started off much more competitive, with Westhill drawing first blood in the first quarter with a three-pointer by Senior Tyler Maignan (19 points, 9 rebounds). Staples responded with a transition three in the corner by junior Dhilan Lowman (13 points, 5 rebounds). After a back and forth, fast-paced first quarter, Staples led Westhill 21-14.
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Staples started off the second quarter red hot, with 5 made baskets on their first 5 possessions. Westhill coach Roberto Nieves decided that enough was enough and called timeout after senior Matty Corrigan (10 points, 5 rebounds) secured an offensive rebound quickly followed by an open layup to make the score 33-19. Westhill senior Anthony Stevenson (16 points) then started to get going, with a pair of free throws followed up by crafty layups in the paint. The first half ended with Westhill senior Daquan Turner (13 points) drilling a deep trey to make the score 40-28 in favor of Staples.
To start the second half, Staples senior Sam Clachko (21 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists) made his way to the foul line, knocking down a pair of free throws. On the next possession, Staples senior Mason Tobias (18 points, 8 rebounds) made a layup on a beautiful pass from Corrigan. Westhill would not go away though in the third quarter, scoring on 5 straight possessions to make the game 50-39, still within striking distance for the Westhill Vikings. After coming up short on a Clachko jumpshot to end the third quarter, the Staples Wreckers led 52-43.
Head Coach David Goldshore commands the attention of his players as he instructs them during a time out.
In the fourth quarter, the scoring continued for both teams, but at a higher rate for the Westhill Vikings. Westhill senior Dalton Olechnowich connected on a three-pointer in front of his own bench to cut the game to 58-52. That is the closest that it would get however, as Clachko and Tobias responded quickly, each with a much-needed layup. Westhill found themselves running out of time and put on a full-court press, which was well combated by Clachko and junior guard Austin Heyer (6 pounds). Weshill then found themselves having to play the foul game late, which resulted in a final score of Staples 68 Westhill 55.
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The Westhill bench erupts in a thrilling moment as the first half ended when a Viking player recovers from a broken play, scoring as the buzzer sounded.
Staples will advance to the semi-finals of the FCIAC tournament for the fourth consecutive year, this time squaring off against the Falcons of Fairfield Ludlowe High School on Monday, March 1 at 7:00 PM at the Wilton Fieldhouse. Staples had their only single-digit victory of the season back on February 3, when they defeated Ludlowe 53-51 after trailing for parts of the fourth quarter. This is a game that even the most casual of high school basketball fans will not want to miss!
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Wreckers Girls Pour It On In The Second Half For A 52-36 Win!
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The Lady Wreckers relied on their relentless team defense to stifle Ridgefield. After giving up double digit points in each quarter of the 1st half, the Lady Wreckers held the Tigers to single digit scoring in both quarters of the 2nd half.
Chloe Smith, Freya Harvey and Addie Talbott all finished with 3 steals. Freya Harvey and Emma Asiel led the Wreckers with 11 points each. Chloe Smith finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Addie Talbott tallied 7 points and 8 rebounds. Center Marley Belzer finished with 5 points and 3 blocks as she ruled the paint on both sides of the ball.
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Westport’s Jazz Rabbi Goes To Redding
Greg Wall, known to many in town as the Jazz Rabbi, took his band “on the road” so to speak to perform an afternoon of Jazz classics at Redding’s Mark Twain Library under the watchful gaze of Twain himself, whose portrait holds a prominent place in the event space at the library.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Rabbi Wall (playing sax) is a founding board member of the Jazz Society of Fairfield County (JazzFC) where he serves as president and artistic director. Greg performs regularly at Westport’s Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399 on many Thursday evenings.
This was the first of the library’s Listen Up! sessions, a fun way to learn to appreciate Jazz music. The Mark Twain Library will hold two sessions with Greg Wall on two Thursday afternoons: April 16th and May 21st, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. The MTL is less than 25 minutes from downtown Westport via scenic Route 53 which runs along the Saugatuck reservoir.
To learn more visit: Mark Twain Library.org
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Rabbi Wall performs on both tenor and soprano saxophone and has recorded with Hasidic New Wave, Greg Wall’s Later Prophets and Zion80. Greg Wall’s Unity Orchestra has made many session appearances for record dates and film scores. Greg has curated a weekly Westport-based Jazz series since 2015, performing with a rotating lineup of internationally acclaimed NYC based and touring Jazz artists.
Joining Greg on saxophone for this gig were Matt DeChamplain on piano, who is proficient on in a wide variety of styles including stride piano, swing, bebop, and post-bop. He has collaborated with numerous notable musicians which include Dave Brubeck of “Take Five” fame among many others. Brubeck was a long-time Wilton resident who passed in 2012. Others include Jimmy Cobb, Steve Davis, Javon Jackson, Shawnn Monteiro, Nat Reeves, and Avery Sharpe.
Playing bass was Matt Dwonszyk, who holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Hartford and a Master of Music degree at SUNY Purchase College in New York. He has taught jazz bass at Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State College. Matt has performed at legendary jazz venues like Smalls, Smoke, Minton’s, Zinc Bar, Birdland. He has released several albums, including his most recent, “Live at the Side Door”.
On drums was Joe Corsello who studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston before playing in the US Army band. Joe became a house drummer for Michael’s Pub in New York, backing such jazz artists as Red Norvo, Joe Venuti and Dave McKenna and was a member of the jazz/rock band New York Mary, which recorded two successful records. He has toured with the B52′s, Patti Smith and Stevie Wonder among others.
Jazz trumpeter Kerry MacKillop spent several years touring extensively worldwide as featured soloist with The Artie Shaw Orchestra and The Woody Herman Band. He has had the honor of performing with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett, to name just a few. In addition to fronting his own groups, he was also a member of the house band for “Seinfeld” and “The Nanny”.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
More than fifty people filled the MTL event space, including three young people who got a taste of this classic American music genre. Rabbi Wall and the band were very impressed with the frequent rounds of applause from the enthusiastic audience members .
About the Jazz Society Of Fairfield County:
JazzFC was formed by Wall and a few others to enrich the cultural life of Fairfield County by promoting the performance and appreciation of Jazz and its heritage. They offer free or low-cost concerts by accomplished artists, outreach to under-served audiences, and educational and performance opportunities for student, amateur and emerging professional musicians. JazzFC provides outreach to seniors, benefit performances for Veterans, and student musician clinics led by world-class professional musicians, followed by live performance opportunities by the students with their clinicians. In 2022 they launched a scholarship award for deserving students pursuing a higher education in music. The Micky Golomb Scholarship Fund was formed to honor the memory of Myron “Micky” Golomb, a well-regarded area saxophonist, educator and habitué of the Jazz Society’s Thursday evening performance presentations.
The scholarship is offered to students expressing financial need, dedicated to pursuing a career in jazz performance and/or jazz education. It is open to instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers and offers up to $10,000, which may be awarded to a single recipient or split among a few finalists, in the form of tuition paid directly to the educational institution.
To learn more abut JazzFC and see their upcoming concert schedule at Westport VFW visit: JazzFC.org
JazzFC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Donations are always welcome.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com