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by Tracy McCue
Up until Thursday, one could argue the Wellington varsity girls have won every game they were supposed to win and probably lost every game they were supposed to lose.
Thursday, Wellington let one slip away. The Crusaders lost 38-35 in the semifinals of the Mulvane Wildcat Classic.
"We really have no excuses, we should have won this game," said Kevin Hackerott, Wellington head girls basketball coach. "But I was still proud of their effort. You can't fault the girls for playing hard."
"Frustrating" is the operative word to say about this one. Mulvane rarely led at any point in this ball game, but was able to outscore the Dukes 6-0 in the final minute.
It was a bit of a role reversal for Wellington, which has been winning some close ones down the stretch. That fourth quarter explosion the Crusaders have been enjoying for three consecutive ball games, never materialized Thursday.
The game started at 4:45 p.m. instead of 7:30 due to fear of a winter storm blowing through.
"That kind of discombobulated us a bit," Hackerott said. "I'm not sure that's a good excuse, but it may have been a factor."
But Wellington had an impressive first quarter, outscoring Mulvane 11-6, and was looking as if it could blow this game away.
The second quarter, though, may have been the reason this game ended in a loss. Mulvane implemented a full-court press and kept Wellington at bay for the next eight minutes.
When Wellington was close to the basket, it was missing easy layups.
In fact, this was a huge problem for the Dukes all night. Wellington missed at least five easy uncontested layups. Make those and the Crusaders would have won this game.
Also, Mulvane started winning the battle of the fouls. The Wildcats would shoot 29 free throws in the game, making 14. Wellington shot 10, making five.
"It was a physical game," Hackerott said. "I wish we could have had better luck getting the calls."
Mulvane would eventually take an 18-15 half-time lead.
In the third quarter, Wellington eventually regained the lead and held a 27-26 advantage after three quarters.
Both teams would trade baskets for the rest of the game until the minute mark.
Ashlyn Whaley hit a 3-pointer with 1:34 to play to give the Dukes a 34-32 lead. And when Dani Anderson got to the free throw line, she put the Dukes in front 35-32 hitting 1-of-2 free throws.
But Mulvane wouldn't go away. Mulvane's Kelsey Miller, who had a brilliant game with 15 points and countless rebounds, nailed two free throws. She would then follow it up with a layup on Mulvane's next possession to give the Wildcats a one-point lead.
Wellington worked the ball down and with 12 seconds to play called an inbounds pass in which Anderson drove the lane for an inside bucket. The ball wouldn't fall and Miller was there for the rebound.
The Dukes quickly fouled and with 10 seconds to play, Mulvane would get six free throw opportunities on misses and offensive rebounds.
Wellington will now battle Garden Plain for third place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Wichita Southeast beat Garden Plain 57-53.
Mulvane 38 Wellington 35
Mulvane 6 12 8 12 — 38
Wellington 9 4 12 14 — 35
Mulvane: Wilson 2, Marten 8, Bell 3, Reusser 1, Parsons 5, K. Miller 15, Bish 4. Total: 12 14-29 38. Wellington: Whaley 8, Amrein 10, Adams 5, Becker 5, Anderson 7. Total: 9 (4) 5-10 35.
by Tracy McCue
Up until Thursday, one could argue the Wellington varsity girls have won every game they were supposed to win and probably lost every game they were supposed to lose.
Thursday, Wellington let one slip away. The Crusaders lost 38-35 in the semifinals of the Mulvane Wildcat Classic.
"We really have no excuses, we should have won this game," said Kevin Hackerott, Wellington head girls basketball coach. "But I was still proud of their effort. You can't fault the girls for playing hard."
"Frustrating" is the operative word to say about this one. Mulvane rarely led at any point in this ball game, but was able to outscore the Dukes 6-0 in the final minute.
It was a bit of a role reversal for Wellington, which has been winning some close ones down the stretch. That fourth quarter explosion the Crusaders have been enjoying for three consecutive ball games, never materialized Thursday.
The game started at 4:45 p.m. instead of 7:30 due to fear of a winter storm blowing through.
"That kind of discombobulated us a bit," Hackerott said. "I'm not sure that's a good excuse, but it may have been a factor."
But Wellington had an impressive first quarter, outscoring Mulvane 11-6, and was looking as if it could blow this game away.
The second quarter, though, may have been the reason this game ended in a loss. Mulvane implemented a full-court press and kept Wellington at bay for the next eight minutes.
When Wellington was close to the basket, it was missing easy layups.
In fact, this was a huge problem for the Dukes all night. Wellington missed at least five easy uncontested layups. Make those and the Crusaders would have won this game.
Also, Mulvane started winning the battle of the fouls. The Wildcats would shoot 29 free throws in the game, making 14. Wellington shot 10, making five.
"It was a physical game," Hackerott said. "I wish we could have had better luck getting the calls."
Mulvane would eventually take an 18-15 half-time lead.
In the third quarter, Wellington eventually regained the lead and held a 27-26 advantage after three quarters.
Both teams would trade baskets for the rest of the game until the minute mark.
Ashlyn Whaley hit a 3-pointer with 1:34 to play to give the Dukes a 34-32 lead. And when Dani Anderson got to the free throw line, she put the Dukes in front 35-32 hitting 1-of-2 free throws.
But Mulvane wouldn't go away. Mulvane's Kelsey Miller, who had a brilliant game with 15 points and countless rebounds, nailed two free throws. She would then follow it up with a layup on Mulvane's next possession to give the Wildcats a one-point lead.
Wellington worked the ball down and with 12 seconds to play called an inbounds pass in which Anderson drove the lane for an inside bucket. The ball wouldn't fall and Miller was there for the rebound.
The Dukes quickly fouled and with 10 seconds to play, Mulvane would get six free throw opportunities on misses and offensive rebounds.
Wellington will now battle Garden Plain for third place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Wichita Southeast beat Garden Plain 57-53.
Mulvane 38 Wellington 35
Mulvane 6 12 8 12 — 38
Wellington 9 4 12 14 — 35
Mulvane: Wilson 2, Marten 8, Bell 3, Reusser 1, Parsons 5, K. Miller 15, Bish 4. Total: 12 14-29 38. Wellington: Whaley 8, Amrein 10, Adams 5, Becker 5, Anderson 7. Total: 9 (4) 5-10 35.
