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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. The girls basketball playoffs are set in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Stamford and Darien clinched the final two spots in the eight-team playoff Wednesday, and the conference announced the schedule of games Thursday. All quarterfinal games are scheduled for Saturday.
No. 5 Norwalk (13-5) at No. 4 Wilton (13-5), noon Norwalk enters the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning its last seven games of the season, including a victory over St. Joseph. The Bears also won eight in a row earlier this season.
Wilton is playing in its first conference playoff game since 2003. The Warriors have been one of the most perplexing teams in the league, defeating playoff qualifiers St. Joseph, Trumbull, Trinity and Stamford but losing to nonqualifiers such as Staples and both Fairfield teams. Wilton beat Norwalk, 48-40, in a come-from-behind game Jan. 19.
No. 8 Darien (11-7) at No. 1 Danbury (18-0), 2 p.m. For the second straight year, Darien needed all 18 conference games to punch a ticket to the postseason. Also for the second straight year, the Blue Wave has to suit up against an undefeated team.
Danbury has demolished just about every team it has played this season, averaging nearly 60 points a game. Only Wilton and Trumbull have been able to finish within 10 points of the Hatters this season. Danbury is the clear favorite in the tournament. Danbury defeated Darien, 55-36, earlier this season.
No. 6 Trinity Catholic (12-6) vs. No. 3 Trumbull (15-3), 2 p.m. at Fairfield Ludlowe After an inconsistent first half, Trinity closed its season by winning seven of its final eight games. The Crusaders have struggled against playoff qualifiers, however, going 2-5 against its potential postseason opponents.
Trumbull is the defending conference champion after an undefeated season in conference play last year. The Golden Eagles' only losses this season came against fellow qualifiers Danbury, St. Joseph and Wilton. Trumbull defeated Trinity, 55-34, in the second game of the season on Dec. 9.
No. 7 Stamford (11-7) at No. 2 St. Joseph (15-3), 5 p.m. Stamford snuck into the conference playoffs with a thrilling win over Fairfield Warde on Wednesday. Stamford survived a tough stretch in the middle of its season, losing five out of six games in a row. Stamford picked up big wins over New Canaan, Ridgefield and Darien to set up its showdown with Warde.
St. Joseph also looks to be a dangerous team in the postseason, having won its last five games in a row. Its only losses were to Wilton, Norwalk and Danbury all playoff qualifiers. The Cadets beat Stamford, 54-36, earlier this week.
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