By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — In the final tune-up for the postseason where Staples girls basketball team aims for success, the Wreckers faced a major test Wednesday against Ridgefield, the conference best.

The visiting Tigers showed why they will be a top contender in playoff action, defeating Staples, 58-38, in the regular season finale.

For the Wreckers, Freya Harvey had 10 points, Riely Gullans scored eight to go along with nine rebounds, Addie Talbott had five points and four steals, and Ella Harrington added four points and a trio of assists.

Staples snow turns their attention to the FCIAC tournament, which gets underway Saturday.

Staples is the No. 4 seed and will take on No. 5 St. Joseph of Trumbull in the quarterfinals at 2:30 p.m. at home. Both teams have 10-5 conference records, but the Wreckers defeated St. Joe’s, 59-46, on Feb. 14 to earn the tiebreaker advantage and better seed.

In the other quarterfinal games, also at Staples, No. 3 Fairfield Warde takes on No. 6 Fairfield Ludlowe at 11 a.m., No. 2 Greenwich faces No. 7 Trumbull at 12:45, and No. 1 Ridgefield takes on No. 8 Stamford at 4:15.

The quarterfinal-round winners play in Monday’s semis at neutral site Trumbull High (times to be determined). The championship game is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Fairfield University on Wednesday.

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.