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PROGRAM LEGENDS

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Staples Girls Basketball has a proud tradition built by athletes whose impact extends far beyond their playing years. From early trailblazers to modern-era leaders, these alumni helped define the culture, competitiveness, and standards of the program. Their accomplishments, on the court and beyond, continue to shape what it means to wear the Wrecker uniform.

Lisa Brummel, 1977

A defining figure in Staples Girls Basketball history, Lisa became the program’s first 1,000-point scorer, finishing her career with 1,248 points in just three seasons and setting a single-game scoring record of 42 points that still stands. She was inducted into the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame and went on to an extraordinary collegiate career at Yale University, where she was a four-sport athlete from 1977–1981, earning two All-Ivy League basketball selections and Third Team NCAA All-America honors. Today, she continues to shape the game at the highest level as a co-owner of the Seattle Storm of the WNBA.

Career Highlights

First 1,000-point scorer in Staples Girls Basketball history
Career total: 1,248 points (3 seasons)
Single-game scoring record: 42 points
Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame inductee
Yale University (1977–1981): Four-sport athlete
2× All-Ivy League (Basketball), NCAA Third Team All-America
Co-Owner, Seattle Storm (WNBA)

Jessica Gelman, Class of 1993

A defining figure in Staples Girls Basketball history, Jessica Gelman is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,636 career points and a key contributor to two FCIAC championship teams. She went on to play collegiate basketball at Harvard University, where she also became a 1,000-point scorer in the Ivy League. Following her playing career, Jessica built an influential career in professional sports, currently serving as CEO of Kraft Analytics Group, a leading sports analytics firm. Her path from Staples to the highest levels of sport leadership reflects the lasting impact of the program on and off the court.

Career Highlights

Staples all-time leading scorer (1,636 points)
2× FCIAC Champion (1991, 1993)
3× All-FCIAC
Harvard University — 1,000-point scorer
CEO, Kraft Analytics Group

Stefanie Goettsche, Class of 1990

One of the most prolific scorers in Staples Girls Basketball history, Stefanie Goettsche averaged a school-record 26 points per game during her senior season and finished her career with 1,485 points. She was a First Team All-State selection and a key contributor to Staples’ 1990 FCIAC Championship team. Stefanie went on to play BIG EAST basketball at Providence College, where she became a 1,000-point scorer for the Friars. Following college, she enjoyed a long professional career in Germany and represented the German National Team in 86 international games from 1994 to 2002.

Career Highlights

Staples career points: 1,485
School-record 26 PPG (senior season)
FCIAC Champion (1990)
First Team All-State
Providence College (BIG EAST) — 1,000-point scorer
Professional career in Germany
German National Team (86 appearances, 1994–2002)

Carolyn Center, 1995

A cornerstone of Staples Girls Basketball’s 1995 CIAC Class LL State Championship team, Carolyn Center was a dominant presence in the post and one of the most accomplished players in program history. A three-time All-FCIAC selection and First Team All-State honoree, she finished her Staples career with 1,278 points and was named the Connecticut Post Female Athlete of the Year in 1995. Carolyn went on to play four years of Division I basketball at the University of Richmond, earning All-CAA honors and team MVP recognition during her collegiate career. After college, she played professionally for the Northampton 76ers in England and continues to impact the sports world today as General Manager of Richmond IMG Sports Marketing.

Career Highlights

CIAC Class LL State Champion (1995) - article
3× All-FCIAC
First Team All-State
Career points: 1,278
Connecticut Post Female Athlete of the Year (1995)
University of Richmond (Division I) — All-CAA, Team MVP
Professional player, Northampton 76ers (England)
Honored as Sportsmen of Westport in 2010

Courtney Sutherland, 1987

One of the most dominant and versatile players in Staples Girls Basketball history, Courtney Sutherland-Petti set the standard for excellence during her career in the 1980s. She finished her Staples career with 1,272 points and 1,041 rebounds and, at the time of her graduation, held the program records in both scoring and rebounding. A three-time All-FCIAC selection and First Team All-State honoree in 1987, Courtney went on to compete collegiately in both basketball and tennis at Saint Leo University. Her rare combination of scoring ability, rebounding dominance, and multi-sport success cements her place as a foundational figure in the program’s history.

Career Highlights

Former program record holder in scoring (1,272)
Current record holder for rebounding (1,041)
First Team All-State (1987)
3× All-FCIAC
Multi-sport collegiate athlete (basketball and tennis), Saint Leo University

Karen DeFelice, 1982

Career Highlights

Averaged a school-record 19 rebounds per game (record still stands)
All-FCIAC and All-State selection
Providence College (Basketball)

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Arianna Gerig, 2021

Career Highlights

Staples career: 1,080 points
All-State selection (2020, 2021)
Williams College ’25 — varsity basketball
NESCAC First Team All-Conference (2023–24)
Scored 1,000 collegiate points; set Williams single-season scoring record (509)
Program-record 43 points in a single game (2023–24)

Karem Esteva, 1995

Career Highlights

Staples career: single-season steals leader (158); second all-time in single-season assists (131)
MVP, 1995 CIAC Class LL State Championship Game
Parade All-American (Soccer) at Staples
University of Virginia (Soccer)
2× Collegiate All-American (soccer)

Ann Claire Roesch, 2004

Career Highlights

Staples career: 1,000-point scorer
Averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds per game as a senior
3× All-FCIAC
Amherst College — varsity basketball
Principal, Deloitte Consulting

Elle Fair, 2018

Career Highlights

All State Selection, 2018

Jackie O’Connell, 2007

Career Highlights

1,008 career points
3x All FCIAC
All-State selection

Nicole Holmes, 2021

Career Highlights

All-State selection, 2021

Beth Uydess, 1989

Career Highlights

Staples single-season assists leader (159)
University of Virginia (Soccer)

PROGRAM BUILDERS

Head Coach, 1979 to 2014

Ed Huydic

The foundation of Staples Girls Basketball was built under the leadership of longtime head coach Ed Huydic, whose 34-year tenure shaped the identity and standards of the program. From 1979 to 2014, Coach Huydic guided Staples to sustained success, winning four FCIAC championships and one CIAC state title while qualifying for the state tournament in 28 consecutive seasons.

His commitment to fundamentals, discipline, and player development created an environment where generations of athletes thrived and helped establish Staples as one of the premier girls basketball programs in Connecticut.

The legacy of his leadership continues to influence the program today.

Read about Coach as he reflects on past teams and players here

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Head Coach, 2014 to 2024

Paco Fabian

Paco Fabian led the Wreckers for ten seasons, guiding the program back to the top tier of the FCIAC and reestablishing Staples as a consistent state contender. Under his leadership, Staples produced one of the most accomplished teams in program history during the 2019–20 season, earning the No. 1 ranking in Connecticut and advancing to the Class LL semifinals before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That team was widely regarded as a favorite to compete for a state championship, and its success reflected Coach Fabian’s emphasis on preparation, competitiveness, and player development. He was named

FCIAC Coach of the Year and also brought championship experience to Staples through a successful tenure as a state title–winning girls tennis coach.

Read more about Coach Fabian here

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