BY GENE NARDI
The Wellington High School boys basketball team hosted the Class 8A regional quarterfinals last Thursday night, taking on Spanish River High School and falling 44-41 in an overtime thriller.
Just a week after winning the Class 8A District Championship with back-to-back wins over Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter high schools, Wellington appeared ready to move into the regional playoffs operating on all cylinders.
The first quarter demonstrated solid defensive play from both squads, as neither could break the single digit on the score board. At the end of the period, the Sharks maintained a 9-8 lead.
The Wolverines (16-12) battled back, but eventually went into the locker room at halftime trailing 22-18.
Both Wellington and the Sharks battled in the trenches to gain the advantage, but neither could end the game in regulation-time.
Spanish River’s Frantz Dumas’ three-point basket in overtime play proved to be pivotal to end Wellington run toward a state title, giving the Sharks the win 44-41.
Steven Coulanges recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolverines.
Wellington caps the end of its season as the Class 8A District Champions with a (16-12) overall record.
ABOVE: Alex Dieudonne takes the ball up the court.
