In the big picture, Darien picked up a much-needed win as it attempts to stay within striking distance of the FCIAC playoffs. Darien entered the game trailing Norwalk, Stamford and Staples (all 9-5 in FCIAC play) for the final three FCIAC tournament slots and tied with Fairfield Warde and Westhill (both 8-6 in FCIAC play) for ninth place. The free throw represented the Warriors' first point in eight minutes of play, and the layup was their first field goal in 10 minutes. Bushell got her team back on track by laying up a shot and converting the ensuing free throw for the three-point play. On Wilton's next possession, Stein stole the ball and converted a layup, and Marren also drained a layup and converted the free throw after being fouled. The Warriors (11-5 overall), which haven't lost back-to-back games all season, will look to keep that streak intact when they travel to Danbury on Monday at 7 p.m. With no margin for error as it pertains to their standing in the FCIAC playoff picture, Darien (10-7 overall) plays host to Stamford on Friday at 7 p.m.

RIDGEFIELD - The Darien girls hockey team had four players light the lamp and held off a late Wilton charge for a 5-2 victory Monday afternoon at the Ridgefield Winter Garden. The win locked up a spot in the four-team FCIAC playoff tournament for Darien, which currently sits in third place in the standings, behind New Canaan and Greenwich and ahead of Ridgefield. The Blue Wave required just over five minutes of play to take a 1-0 lead when Emily Tropsa cleanly won a faceoff from the right circle back to Amanda Sload. According to Scribano, the combination of early Blue Wave goals and strong defensive play made her job far easier. Wilton, which currently sits in fifth place in the FCIAC standings, needs a win to help its fading FCIAC playoff chances in its next conference game against Ridgefield at the Ridgefield Winter Garden on Saturday at 8:50 p.m. With its playoff ticket punched, Darien's focus is maintaining -- or perhaps improving -- its seed when it takes on Greenwich at the Darien Ice Rink at 6:50 p.m. Finishing in fourth place would force the Blue Wave to face off against undefeated New Canaan in the first round of FCIACs.

Darien boys track team finishes sixth at FCIAC Championship The Staples High School boys indoor track team won the FCIAC Team Championship, snapping a string of five consecutive league titles by the Danbury High boys. The central figure in Staples' triumph was junior Henry Wynne, who ran to FCIAC championship gold in the 1,000 meters, 1,600 and added a gutty second place finish in the 3,200. Staples pulled away for good Thursday when Dean Hefnaway (13-feet-6) and Matt Mula finished 1-2 in the pole vault. In the boys 4 x 200 meter relay, the Greenwich quartet of Marcus Motill, Elijah Dume, Nick Pulitano and Ryan Kelly were crowned FCIAC champs in 1:32.24. Since our relay won at the Yale Invitational, we felt we could put up a special time. In the 4 x 800 meter relay, the new Ridgefield High foursome of Billy Arnold, Blake Liebling, McCall Keller and Connor Findlay took first place in 8:27.10, nipping runnerup Staples (8:27.67). In the 55 meter hurdles, Norwalk's Adam Robertino was crowned FCIAC champ in 7.78 seconds. In the sprint medley relay, the New Canaan foursome of George Bennett, Austin Deery, Henson Orser and Alex Spinu won in 3:42.24 ahead of Ludlowe (3:44.38) and Danbury (3:44.46). In the shot put, New Canaan's Rami Hanadan was crowned FCIAC champ with a throw of 49-feet-7.75.

Darien girls track team takes second place at FCIAC Championship NEW HAVEN -- Since the season began in December, Greenwich girls track coach Evan Dubin has been telling anyone who would listen that the Cardinals were the team to beat in the FCIAC. Behind strong relays and a stellar showing from Abby Markowitz, the Cardinals backed up Dubin's prediction, winning the FCIAC championships at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven Thursday night with 92 team points. Greenwich 4x200 relay team of Amanda Michaud, Claire D'Etiveaud, Emily Johnson and Naomi Leeds won with a time of 1:48.11, well ahead of second-place finisher Trumbull, which came in at 1:50.81 and the third-place team from Danbury (1:51.69). Because I am running to other events, my goal was not to get the fastest time but to go for place so having someone like her (Loh) there made my time faster. The Cardinals expected to win certain events, but it was the second-, third- and fourth-place finishes that pushed them over the top.

Saturday's Advocate High School Roundup WRESTLING Darien 52, Stratford 22 Tyler Maul (D) pin James Jackson 2:58; 195 -- Marks Steeves (F) pin Tyler Maul 1:12; 195 -- Edwin Gonzalez (NH) won by forfeit; 220 -- Daykwion Aleman (NH) won by forfeit; 106 -- Koran Trimble (NH) won by forfeit; 126 -- Danbury 72, Bethel 3; Nonnewaug 44, Exeter/West Greenwich 36; Hand 72, New Fairfield 12; Bristol Eastern 69, Westhill 9 Danbury 70, Nonnewaug 0; Exeter/West Greenwich 48, Bethel 32; Hand 70, Westhill 27; Bristol Eastern 70, New Fairfield 8. Danbury 44, Hand 10; Bristol Eastern 71, Nonnewaug 5; Exeter/West Greenwich 51, New Fairfield 17; Westhill 45, Bethel 29 Mike Money (W) pinned Pirne, 1:41. BOYS ICE HOCKEY Goals: G--Paul Macken 2, Brett Backman, William Waesche; T--Michael Ahearn 3, AJ DiMasi 2, Brendan Strobel. GIRLS BASKETBALL GREENS FARMS ACADEMY (4-12) SCHOLASTIC SCHEDULE Boys basketball Greens Farms Academy at King, 5:45 Girls basketball Greenwich Academy at Greens Farms Academy, 4:30 Gymnastics Weston at Weston MS, 5 Boys hockey Norwalk/McMahon at Darien Ice Rink, 6 Ridgefield at Wilton (YMCA), 3:40