By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — The true success of this year’s Staples High girls basketball team may be a bit of an unknown for a season or two. 

That’s because among five starters four are sophomores, and whatever the young squad accomplishes this winter, it stands a good chance of building on it in the future.

Coach Paco Fabian’s Wreckers are led by junior captain Sofia Martin and senior captain Maya Brady, who hopes to be on the court soon as she battles back from a torn ACL and awaits clearance to play.

Junior Ella Harrington and sophomore Sarah VonDohlen are notable players, with VonDohlen regarded as the team’s top player, Fabian notes. The All-FCIAC candidate is a great all-around contributor, top scorer and team player, the coach said. “She does everything,” he added.

Sophomores include guard/forward Freya Harvey, point guard Reese Rein, forward/center Marley Belzer, and guards Sadie Katzner and Emma Asiel. Freshman Chloe Smith is a key addition to the squad.

Fabian’s goal for this lineup is to qualify for the state and FCIAC tournaments. The coach anticipates an exciting season this year, as well as the next several seasons and beyond.

It all gets started with the regular-season opener at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Harding High in Bridgeport and Sheehan visits the next night for the home opener, also at 7.

(Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)

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