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.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Jake Sullivan For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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
Tremendous Come From Behind Victory In Overtime For Wreckers Girls Basketball!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
The Wreckers girls took the floor at Danbury High on Thursday night with the game started off normally enough. Staples (9-2, FCIAC) was making several of their shots and keeping the Hatter’s (8-4, FCIAC) offense in check with a determined defense. Everything changed however in the second quarter. Danbury held the Wreckers to only two points while they added 8 points to the scoreboard.
Danbury’s offense stayed focused in the third adding four additional points to lead 34-28 when the buzzer sounded. Danbury maintained their lead in the fourth quarter, up by two midway through the period, but Staples managed to tie the game 39-39.
Staples just could not take control and at 1:44 remaining in the game Danbury managed to jump to a 5 point lead. It was looking like the Hatters last home game of the regular season was going to conclude with a win, which their senior girls were looking forward to, especially over Staples which was having a great season. Danbury cheerleaders were on hand to rally their team and it looked grim for the Wreckers with Danbury up by 6 points with 32 seconds remaining.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
But Freya Harvey who had been scoreless for 30 minutes was not to be denied. Somehow, against all odds the Senior guard managed to hit not one, but TWO thrilling three point buckets in the space of 20 seconds to tie the game at 46 all, sending it into overtime.
The Wreckers defense held the Hatters to a single point in the four minute overtime period, and with Harvey’s 3rd trey of the night helped seal the deal.
Head Coach Tommy Sparks strategizes with the team during a time-out, trying to get the girls back in the zone and regain control of the game.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
The bench was over the moon after resigning themselves to a tough loss, then instead experiencing the miraculous overtime win.
Jubilant Wreckers girls rush to the floor to join the rest of their team after the amazing come-from-behind win over the Danbury Girls Hatters in overtime.
Leading the Wreckers offense was #10 Junior guard, Captain Chloe Smith with 17 points, followed by #30 Senior Captain, guard Emma Asiel who scored 13 points. Freya Harvey added two points to her three from beyond the arc to total 11 points and she led the team with 8 assists.
Addie Talbott, sophomore guard scored 6 with #12 Captain Marly Belzer, a Senior at center adding 4 more. Smith and Talbott combined for 21 rebounds, and Talbott was a terror on defense with 6 steals.
The Wreckers hope to continue the streak against a strong opponent when they face FCIAC second place (10-2) St. Joes of Trumbull on Tuesday at home at 7:00 PM.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Parents, who had anticipated a less than happy ending in the latter stages of the game, reacted with pleasant surprise when Freya Harvey tied the game leading to the overtime.
A Well Prepared First Selectman Kevin Christie Provides Superb State Of The Town Presentation
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After only 76 days as Westport’s new First Selectman, Kevin Christie showed superb preparation and excellent, in-depth knowledge of all things Westport in his first State Of The Town event. Christie opened by thanking event sponsors Westport Rotary and Westport Sunrise Rotary, next Selectwoman Amy Wistreich and Selectman Don O’Day and then the host, The Westport Library. Christie began his presentation by saying, “When I thought about how to approach my first State of the Town, I kept coming back to one simple idea: Westport thrives because of its people...the community. And local government exists to support that community.”
Opening the program (l. to r.), Peter Helt President of Westport Rotary and Mark Soboslai, President of Westport Sunrise Rotary speak about their organizations and their sponsorship of the State Of The Town. At right is RTM moderator Jeff Weiser who emceed the event.
Next, Christie gave the audience some insight into the effectiveness in the activities of various branches of town government, remarking “Every day, across this entire community, our town staff are delivering services at a scale that’s easy to take for granted until you see it all at once. When I talk about the scale of town government, I mean what residents’ tax dollars actually support, every day.”
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Christie’s slide presentation began with an beautiful aerial view of the outstanding renovation of the Compo Beach Playground provided by WestportLocalPress: Comp Beach Playground Opening Day. Next, Christie highlighted the activities of our first responders who work tirelessly to keep us safe, telling the audience, “In 2025, the Police Department handled over 27,000 calls, including more than 5,500 traffic stops. Our Fire Department responded to over 4,000 incidents, with an average response time under four minutes.”
Mr. Christie also spoke about community services saying, “the departments that support residents day to day, across age, ability, and circumstance. Parks and Recreation supported 10,895 program registrations, about 1.2 million beach visits, and 40,000 rounds of golf adding, “Through Human Services and the Senior Center, the Town provides over 24,000 congregate and home-delivered meals annually and has administered $2.9 million in housing and community grants over the last two years”, adding, “And of course, speaking of community services, here we are inside our state’s only 5-star library.”
Above, clock wise: Audience members included Westport Police Chief David Farrell, RTM member Andrew Collabella (blue hoodie), former RTM member Harris Faulk (hat), newly elected RTM member Victoria Wylie (white) and two other audience members.
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Christie also credited “teams that shape how Westport grows, evolves, and protects what makes this town special: Planning and Zoning, Conservation, and the Historic District Commission. In 2025, the Planning and Zoning office issued over 430 administrative zoning permits, processed 42 applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and 75 applications to the Zoning Board of Appeals.”
Mr. Christie closed his remarks by saying, “Finally, I want to recognize teams in administration that keep our town and staff running every day. Many of you know we recently completed a state-mandated property revaluation, the first since COVID, and after the notices were mailed, our Assessor’s Office met with over 1,000 property owners through informal hearings. Our Tax Collector delivered over a 99% collection rate. Our Town Clerk’s office recorded 464 property transfers and assists residents every day, both in person and online. Our Information Technology team provides the foundational and improving digital infrastructure that facilitates the town’s work and allows residents to engage with the town online.”
He added, “I also want to thank our teams in finance, personnel, the Town Attorney’s Office, and of course the Selectman’s Office, for the vital support they provide to ensure our town functions smoothly. That scale is possible because of how people work together.”
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Opening for Mr. Christie was Board of Education member Abby Tolan who was filling in for Board Chair Lee Goldstein who was out of town at a previously schedule conference. Ms. Tolan had a full plate of both achievements of the Westport Education system and it’s outstanding student body and important administrative issues addressed in recent years. Tolan commented, “First and foremost, our district remains dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment that both supports and challenges all students.”
Ms. Tolan spoke at length about budgetary issues, including capital improvement plans including substantial Staples Auditorium renovation and other projects including a new Staples girls locker room, WiFi access at Staples athletic fields and a new concession stand with bathrooms.
She made note of technology issues including “AI usage, with objectives being focused on; using AI with integrity and purpose; preparing students to think, adapt and lead with AI; inspired teaching that is human led, AI empowered. Shaping a thoughtful, adaptive and empowered community.”
Tolan lauded a number of students who had achieved tremendous academic successes and the outstanding athletics department. She provided a long list of students from multiple schools who have achieved success in a wide variety of academic endeavors and contests in a Science Olympiad including global environmental issues and four gold medals for Bedford Middle School students. Staples award winning chool newspaper, Inklings and the Staples media department were also praised by Tolan. Issues such as Long Lots school and Coleytown school were addressed as well.
Athletic achievements stood out as well, with Staples basketball team winning the first FCIAC Championship since 1963 (WestportLocal, Staples FCIAC championship) and Wreckers State Title in Lacrosse (Staples LAX Defeats Darien For State Championship) and Boys Soccer’s 13th state title as well as a victory by the new Staples Fencing team.
Following the presentations by Christie and Tolan was an audience Q and A session, with more questions than the time allotted would allow. Issues such as traffic congestion, a problem in search of a solution for many years including state DOT involvement on projects such as the Merritt exit 21 (formerly exit 42) daily traffic jam. The Hamet situation and ongoing legislation was discussed along with the controversial Hiawatha Lane project and the hot button issue of the Community Garden relocation. An important issue, sustainability was also queried by audience members as was the gigantic piles of snow, Mt. Woog or Mt. Christie as they were laughingly termed, which drew some attention before their removal following the recent blizzard.
Above, Westport Rotary volunteers gathered questions from the audience, which also included (at right) Cynthia and Carl Muller, Gloria Gourveia (sunglasses) and former RTM member Sal Liccione (black cap).
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