Wreckers Hopes For FCIAC Playoff Berth Dashed In Danbury
The Staples girls basketball team was hoping for a win last night against the Hatters of Danbury which would earn them a spot in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference post season tourney, but despite leaving it all on the court for 32 minutes, it was not to be.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In a game which was exceptionally physical, with one tie-up after another becoming fierce battles for possession, and body contact which must have left both teams bruised today, the Wreckers were in it until the final five minutes.
The Wreckers came out strong, scoring two quick buckets in the first two minutes, but Danbury fought back tying the game 8-8 midway through the period. Staples held a one point advantage at the end of the first quarter thanks in part to sophomore stand-out Sarah Von Dohlen who posted 8 of her game-high 22 points.
The second quarter saw the lead change several times with Staples overcoming a five point deficit to go into the locker room leading 32-25 behind buckets by sophomore Freya Harvey, 3-pointers by Von Dohlen and sophomore Emma Asiel, junior Ella Harrington who was second leading scorer with 11 points total and who plays alongside her twin sister Poppy.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Wreckers expanded their lead to ten points early in the third period, however things went downhill from there with Danbury closing to within one at the end of the period. Staples had no answer for 5’11” Danbury center Lily Bevington who was able to score from the post and with a couple of quick scores the Hatters took the lead, 43-40 and then expanded the lead to eight. With 1:30 left to play, Danbury was firmly in control, leading 56-48, with Von Dohlen draining a trey in the final minute, the Wreckers fell to Danbury by the final score of 58-55. Adding to the Wreckers scoring were sophomore Sadie Katzner who finished with six points, Asiel with seven, junior Sophia Martin adding three and Marley Belzer who finished with two.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.