By Finnegan Courtney

Wilton 50, Staples 47 OT

WESTPORT – Following a heartbreaker against Westhill, the 7-3 Staples Wreckers returned home for a big matchup against the 8-1 Wilton Warriors in a raucous, defense-heavy nailbiter.

It was also Staples’ first game of the new year with a full crowd allowed in, due to a recent change in FCIAC regulations. Both teams put on a great show in front of a pretty packed house.

The defense from both the Warriors and Wreckers delivered a low-scoring game. After ten minutes of play, Wilton was on top 10-8.

Scoring picked up in the second quarter, but Wilton remained on top at the half by seven, 26-19. 

Staples mounted a quick comeback in the third quarter but the Warriors answered with a rally of their own. 

However, in the last five minutes of the third, Staples’ senior captain Ryan Phelps, began a comeback and cut Wilton’s lead to two points at the end of the quarter, 36-34. Phelps has been on fire lately, with a multi-game stretch of stellar performances, including a 30-point game against Greenwich.

Down by ten mid-way through the fourth, Phelps hit a falling three-point shot, capping a Wreckers 8-1 run. Staples then rallied back to tie it up with about two minutes left; following a pair of three-pointers by both teams, the fourth quarter ended in a 44-44 tie.

In OT, Staples’ captain Ryan Thompson was fouled on a wild lay-up, but he missed the free throw and opened the door for Wilton to come back.

Wilton made a quick bucket before senior captain Kevin Hyzy went to the line for a one and one. The Warriors won the game behind strong performances by Hyzy and Parker Wooding, whose versatility and scoring propelled the Warriors to the win in, 50-47.

The 7-4 Wreckers have the opportunity to bounce back at an away game at Fairfield Ludlowe, on Thursday at 6:30. Ludlowe sports a 5-5 record.