Circle gets the square... or at least the sub-state championship.
The Thunderbirds defeated Wellington girls in the championship finals 49-31. Luck ran out on the Lady Dukes, who had their best season in, perhaps, ever.
Wellington had trouble with Circle's tenacious press all evening. The Crusaders mustered just 10 points in the first half and trailed 19-10 at intermission. In the second half, things were getting ugly when Circle took a 15 point lead with about two minutes to play in the third.
Ashlyn Whaley, who scored 20 points for the Crusaders, sparked a rally and Wellington closed the gap within six 32-26. But Kystie Ehm, who scored 17 points for the night, would hit two big field goals on the next two possessions and put the Thunderbirds up by 10.
Wellington was forced to send Circle to the foul line thereafter, which didn't help. Circle went 14 of 20 from the charity stripe and pull away for an 18 point win.
The Crusaders end the season at 13-10. They return the bulk of their team next season.
More details of the game will be featured later on this web site and the Wellington Daily News.
Circle 49 Wellington 31
Wellington 7 3 11 10 — 31
Circle 9 10 12 18 — 49
Circle: Hon 5, Flaming 7, Ehm 17, Burden 10, Barrett 3, Couey 4, Richard 3. Total: 14 (2) 15-28 49. Wellington: Whaley 20, Amrein 2, Adams 4, Becker 1, Anderson 4. Total: 5 (5) 6-10 31.
