By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — Coming off a campaign in which the Staples girls basketball team qualified for the state playoffs, the Wreckers take the court Friday with familiar faces back in the fold and a new leader at the helm.

Coach Tommy Sparks, who previously worked at Immaculate of Danbury and Notre Dame-Fairfield, takes over the Wreckers this season. 

And the new coach sees a lot of potential for this squad.

“Our goal is to have a productive season that is driven by playing with a sense of urgency, pace and poise. Our team has valuable assets; however, each player is still deciphering their own value. Once we can fully identify and execute our individual/team strengths we will meet our expectations,” Sparks said.

The Wreckers are led by captains: guard/forward Ella Harrington, forward Poppy Harrington and guard/forward Aviva Ross.

Other players back in the mix are guards Emma Asiel, Freya Harvey and Reese Rein, forward/center Marley Belzer, forward Chloe Smith and center Riely Gullans.

“We have talent and versatility in each position. We should be able to utilize an array of lineups to coincide with the flow of the game. Our guards can get downhill and also shoot well when confident,” Sparks said. “Also, we should see some success in the post. To accomplish our goals, players must identify their roles and embrace them.”

The season tips off at 7 p.m. tonight (Friday, Dec. 13) against visiting North Haven.

After traveling to Bethel at 6 p.m. Monday, the Wreckers return home to face Sheehan of Wallingford at 7 p.m. Wednesday. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest updates.)

“I’m looking forward to every day. Each practice, game is an opportunity to grow,” the coach said.

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.