Boys hoop: Stamford tops Wilton, 62-54

With junior guard Jack Williams channeling his inner-Steph Curry, the Wilton boys basketball team turned a seven-point deficit into a two-point lead Friday night at Stamford High's Kuczo Gym.

But rather than getting rattled, the host Black Knights responded. Stamford scored 17 of the game's final 24 points to beat Wilton, 62-54, and clinch a top-four seed for the upcoming eight-team conference playoffs.

The loss left the Warriors' own FCIAC playoff situation a bit more tenuous. With two games left in the regular season, Wilton is now 8-6 in the conference and seventh in the overall standings. The Warriors can clinch a playoff berth by beating Westhill and Norwalk next week or getting one victory and losses by several other teams.

On Friday night, Stamford took a 45-38 lead into the final quarter. But three consecutive three-pointers from Williams put Wilton ahead, 47-45, with 4:34 to play. Stamford's Nico Laveris then hit a three-pointer to regain the lead for the Black Knights, who pulled away from there, opening a 10-point advantage with 98 seconds remaining.

Williams finished with four three-pointers and a game-high 20 points for Wilton. Matt Kronenberg added 17 points and Drew Connolly had 12 points. Those three players combined for 49 of the Warriors' 54 points.

Jay DeVito scored 17 points to pace Stamford, which improved to 14-4 overall and 11-3 in the FCIAC. Steffan Harding added 14 points and Laveris had 13 points.

Notes: Wilton's overall record is now 11-7.

The top-eight teams qualify for the playoffs, which start with quarterfinal games Feb. 27.