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WILTON, Conn. The Wilton High boys basketball team nearly erased a nine-point deficit with under four minutes to play against Staples on Tuesday, but came up one shot short.
The Warriors had a chance to force overtime, but Chris Nugents potential game-tying three-point shot clanged off the back of the rim. Wilton fell 54-51 to Staples of Westport, snapping a three-game win streak.
The Warriors are in striking distance of their first state playoff berth since 1999.
Weve got seven games to get two wins. Absolutely the kids taste it, Tallcouch said. There are games were favored to win down the stretch and there are one or two we could steal. With the way these kids have played this season, nothing is impossible.
Wilton started the game on an 11-4 run, but Staples tied the game at 23 by halftime and took at 39-33 lead by the end of the third quarter. Staples started the fourth on an 11-2 run.
Wilton fought back, with Nugent scoring six of his team-high 14 points in the final quarter. Freshman Matt Shifrin nailed a high, arcing three-pointer to cut the Wilton deficit to one point with just under two minutes to play.
We had a shot. Nugent had a good look, but it just didnt fall, Tallcouch said. But we never quit down nine points. We fought back.
James Frusciante led the way for Staples with 17 points.
Wilton (6-7) will try to inch closer to a playoff berth when they travel to Bassick on Friday for a 7 p.m. game. With already as many wins as the Warriors have had in the past two years combined, Tallcouch said missing the playoffs at this point would absolutely be a disappointment.
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