Wreckers have trouble solving Warde's defense

The Staples boys basketball team had trouble solving Fairfield Warde's defense when it needed to Friday.

Staples missed many shots and lost 60-51 at home to its neighbor.

"It's a tough loss," Wreckers coach Colin Devine said. "You have to give credit to Warde, they played great defense."

Warde raised its record to 6-6, 4-6 in the FCIAC, mostly by gearing its defense to stop senior captain Mike Argosh and junior Pete Rankowitz. The defensive game plan was a success and as a result, Staples dropped to 6-6, 5-5.

"It's a big response after losing to [Fairfield] Ludlowe [Tuesday]," Mustangs coach Ryan Swaller said. "We knew Argosh and Rankowitz were able to score and focused on them. All five guys knew where they were at all times and we hedged screens."

Overall, the Mustangs forced 18 Staples turnovers and didn't give the Wreckers to many good looks to the basket. Staples also missed many shots, courtesy of Warde guarding its shooters like a blanket.

The Mustangs also had a height advantage with 6-7 senior captain Sal Siciliano and classmate Mike Wright dominating inside, each grabbing 10 rebounds. Siciliano was the game's high scorer with 18 and slashed his to seven layups.

He definitely had a penchant for drawing fouls and shot a game-high seven free throws, going 4-for-7 from the charity stripe. One of his layups was a dunk off a feed from Wright, which electrified Warde's cheering section, and gave the visitors a 6-0 lead.

Wright was like an X-factor who did everything for the Mustangs, and his quick hands played a major role. He crashed the boards, played tight defense, and deftly set up Siciliano inside with this play coming off a steal.

Warde led for most of the game but Staples didn't go away quietly. Although Argosh had no first-half points, the Wreckers were able to claw their way back and took a 20-17 lead with 4:08 remaining in the first half, their biggest advantage of the game. Rankowitz' (10 points, five rebounds, four assists) layup gave them the lead.

Staples also received contributions from backups Patrick Kohlmann (two rebounds, one assist, one steal, one forced turnover) and Nick Ward (one rebound, one assist, one forced turnover), both scoring four points each in the half.

Sophomore Darryle Wiggins (two rebounds, one blocked shot, one forced turnover) also scored four points for the hosts in the first half.

However, the Wreckers trailed 27-23 at the half. Siciliano's 3-point play gave the Mustangs a 25-23 lead and senior Joe Bartelemeo's offensive rebound led to another Warde layup.

Argosh (six rebounds, five assists, one steal, two forced turnovers) may have been stopped in the first half, but came alive after the break. He had 14 points, including two early 3-pointers to keep Staples in the game. Overall, he had three treys.

"I've been off to slow starts, and I have to see how to correct it," Argosh said. "We saw we had to step it up in the second half and we did."

Devine said, "Mike stepped it up in the second half, and he showed great leadership."

The Wreckers also played well defensively and forced 16 Mustang turnovers.

Junior James Frusciante (nine points, four rebounds, three assists, one forced turnover) and Rankowitz each had three steals. Rankowitz also had three forced turnovers. Classmate Ross Whelan (four rebounds, one assist, one steal, one blocked shot, one forced turnover) helped defensively.

Staples took a 39-38 lead on Argosh's 3-play with 1:33 left in the third quarter off a backdoor. However, Siciliano's layup from Wright gave the Mustangs the lead for good, and following a McTague steal, Siciliano's layup made it 42-39, the score after three quarters.

"They outhustled us on the boards and it's hard loss to swallow," Argosh said.

McTague hit a pivotal 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter when his 35-foot shot banked in. The Wreckers didn't get closer after his trey.

Seniors Vasili Tziolis (four points, one rebound, one assist) and Mike Garrity (two points) also contributed for Staples.

"We will work hard in practice, and I'm confident we'll respond," Devine said.

Argosh said, "We have to keep positive, keep pushing forward and we'll be good."