By Gabriella Gerig

The Staples girls’ basketball game Monday against Fairfield Ludlowe ended in a 56-39 defeat for the Lady Wreckers. 

Though only one starter was affected, the latest wave of COVID-19 benched five Wreckers, including two juniors, resulting in a short three-person bench.

The game got off to a slow start for both teams, but quickly turned aggressive and physical. Ludlowe was able to find ways to penetrate the lane and ended the first quarter with a comfortable 15-8 lead. 

Senior captain Sydelle Bernstein led a valiant comeback in the second quarter, as Staples briefly grabbed a one-point lead. Ludlowe stormed back and ended the quarter with a 27-21 lead.

In the second half, the Falcons extended their lead. On offense, they controlled the perimeter and were effective around the basket. On defense, Ludlowe relentlessly suffocated the Wreckers with a host of blocks, steals and rebounds.

This was a semi-final game in the Todd Burger Girls’ Basketball Holiday Tourney. This tournament is in honor of Todd Burger, a sports editor of the Fairfield Citizen who lost his battle with cancer in 2006.

Staples now has a 2-2 overall record. Although the Lady Wreckers were competitive throughout the game, they were not able to overcome the obstacles caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.