The Wellington High School girls varsity basketball team defeated Seminole Ridge High School 50-44 in a close match Monday, Dec. 2 in Wellington.
Though the game got off to a slow start, it picked up in the second half as the Lady Hawks tried to make a comeback and overtake the Lady Wolverines. But when the buzzer rang, Seminole Ridge was six points short of victory.
The opening few minutes of the game saw both teams battle for ball control, Kate O’Hara put points on the board for the Hawks first with about 6 minutes left in the first period, giving them a 2-0 lead Wellington responded shortly after to tie the score.
Haley Thompson broke the tie for the Lady Wolverines with a two-point basket to take a 4-2 lead, but Emily Coulter responded with two points to tie the score again.
In the first period, the Lady Wolverines gave away points by racking up fouls early on. Hanna Hernandez broke the tie for Seminole Ridge with a foul shot. O’Hara extended the lead to 6-4 with another foul shot seconds later.
With 3:30 left in the period, Simone Williams of Wellington tied the score 6-6 with a shot up the middle. Brianna Sabbat added two points to take the lead 8-6 and was sent to the foul line, but didn’t score.
Hernandez grabbed the rebound off the foul shot for the Lady Hawks and ran down the court for a layup to tie the score again.
In the remaining three minutes, Seminole Ridge let the Lady Wolverines slip away with the lead, giving Sabbat several opportunities to take foul shots. The period ended with Wellington leading 13-10.
The Lady Wolverines took control of the game in the second period, putting up 14 points to the Lady Hawks’ 5 points — two baskets and one foul shot.
Sabbat kicked things off with a basket for Wellington, making the score 15-10. The Lady Hawks’ Jessica Cody was sent to the foul line with 6:20 on the clock and nailed one basket to make the score 15-11.
The Lady Wolverines were fouled on the next play, and Thompson put in both shots to extend the lead to 17-10.
Sabbat nailed another basket about a minute later to make the score 19-11 with 4:57 left to the half. The Lady Hawks responded with their own basket to keep Wellington from pulling away, making the score 19-13.
The Lady Wolverines then put in three baskets over the course of two minutes to pull away with a 23-13 lead. Seminole Ridge scored again with 1:30 on the clock to make it 25-15, but Wellington put a basket in at the buzzer to make the score 27-15 going into halftime.
Both teams fought hard in the second half, racking up points on the board. Though Seminole Ridge came out of halftime down by more than 10 points, they battled to put points on the board while holding down Wellington’s lead. In the end, the Lady Hawks got close to a comeback, but couldn’t overtake the Lady Wolverines. The game ended 50-44.
Sabbat led the Lady Wolverines with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Thompson added 14 points and 13 assists. O’Hara led Seminole Ridge with 18 points.
The Lady Wolverines traveled to Jupiter High School on Thursday, Dec 5, but results were not available at press time. They travel to Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, Dec. 9 for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Seminole Ridge traveled to Palm Beach Central High School on Thursday, Dec. 5, but results were not available at press time. They travel next to Glades Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10 for a 7:30 p.m. game.
ABOVE: Emily Coulter defends the ball from Wellington’s Emily Thompson.
