Staples Girls Basketball Falls To Powerful Trumbull

The absence of Nicole Brill was too much for the Staples girls basketball team to overcome against first-place Trumbull.

The Wreckers committed 12 first-half turnovers and were held scoreless Wednesday in a 47-28 loss to the Eagles in Westport.

Brill missed the game because she was home sick, although she is expected to return on Friday, when Staples takes on Wilton, which has won six of eight to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 2005.

"That's a winnable game," said Staples coach Ed Huydic, whose team then concludes the regular season on Monday against St. Joseph.

Without Brill on Wednesday, the Wreckers (7-8, 8-9) trailed 25-8 at the half and never really recovered.

"That's nine points and nine rebounds right there,"Huydic said of his star senior center and forward.

Trumbull, the only team unbeaten in FCIAC play, improved to 15-0 and 16-1.

Marykate VanSant helped the Wreckers jump out to a 4-0 lead before Kelly Coughlin's 3-pointer cut the deficit to 4-3.

Another basket by VanSant gave Staples a 6-3 lead but the Wreckers scored only two more points the remainder of the first half. Syd Houseworth's layup gave the Wreckers their last lead at 8-6.

The Eagles then ripped off the final eight points in the first quarter before outscoring Staples 11-0 in the second for an overal run of 18-0.

"They knocked us down (in the second quarter)," Huydic said.

The focus for the Wreckrs at halftime was a matter of desperation and regaining dignity.

"At the half, I told the kids we want to go home feeling good," Huydic said.

VanSant scored 10 points to lead the Wreckers, who basically played Trumbull even in the second half.

"We did what we could do with what we had," Huydic said.