Wreckers Corral Mustangs To Take Immaculate Holiday Tournament Title
Wreckers captains Adam Udell, Sam Clachko, Caleb Smith and Nick Sikorsky with tournament title trophies.
The Staples Wreckers Boys got their pre-season off to great start with a victory in the annual Immaculate High School Holiday Tournament in Danbury on Friday night. The boys 62-51 victory over West Haven Wednesday brought them to the final match-up against Immaculate High in which they defeated the Immaculate Mustangs 64-52.
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Udell, who scored 20 points in this win, and was named the All-Tournament player. Sophomore Clachko’s 22 points and 11 rebounds against a taller Immaculate squad earned him tourney MVP honors. Clachko was also instrumental in the West Haven win, scoring 31 points in that game. Junior Adam Udell added 20 points and led rebounding with 11 boards, and sophomore Mason Tobias also had a strong game, adding 8 points and another 8 rebounds.
Immaculate got of to a good start holding a 6-5 lead early in the first period and then 11-9 after breaking a 9-9 tie. That would be the last lead they would have as Staples found their rhythm gaining an 11-15 advantage with a minute left in the first. A combination of good outside shooting and the repeated drives in the lane by sophomore standout Sam Clachko brought the lead to 7 midway into the second period. The Wreckers went into the locker at the half leading 35-28 but the Mustangs fought from the second half tip-off recovering with a 36-36 tie in less than two minutes of play.
Staples continued their tenacious defense and started the final period holding an 8 point advantage, which they built upon with continued strong drives to the hoop, sealing the victory by 13 points to take home tournament trophies.
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Coach David Goldshore told WestportLocal that he was “Pleased with our preseason. Competed through some injuries and an incredible state football run. Excited to be at full strength to begin our conference schedule next Friday at home vs the cream of the crop, Ridgefield.“ Senior captain Caleb Smith was the Wreckers standout QB who led the Wreckers to the State Football Title.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Goldshore added “ I understand we are slightly undersized, but our goal is not to be out-toughed, and I think we have accomplished that goal so far.” He added, “I didn’t think it was our best effort as a whole, but when you win games and you don’t play great, miss a lot of free throws I think it speaks volumes about where you are as a team right now.”
Staples fans will recognize Wrecker superstar Chris Zajac, (above right) who was in the stands to support his former teammates. The 6’7” Zajac helped lead Staples basketball last year and in prior years and was a pitcher for Staples baseball.