The Wellington High School girls varsity basketball team defeated Royal Palm Beach High School 46-29 on Friday, Jan. 18 in Royal Palm Beach.
Though both teams got off to a slow start, the Lady Wolverines took an early lead and were able to push past Royal Palm Beach.
Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter, but baskets by Latoya Ashman, Brianna Sabbat and Haley Thompson for Wellington helped edge the Lady Wolverines ahead, 9-5. Shamiah Manely and Japrincess Ford added baskets for Royal Palm Beach.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Manely nailed two foul shots to cut into the Lady Wolverines’ lead. But Wellington’s Ashman was fouled next and put in a basket to keep the lead. On the next play, Rachael Lee put in 3 points for Wellington to make the score 13-7.
On the next play, Chelsey Smith drove the ball underneath the basket and passed to Manely, who sank it for 2 points. Smith also added a foul shot to narrow the lead 13-10 with 3:41 left in the half. Ashman put in another 2 points for the Lady Wolverines, making the score 15-10.
With less than two minutes left in the half, Wellington began to pull away, nailing back-to-back baskets. The Lady Wildcats struggled to keep up, with Smith nailing 2 points to finish the half 19-12.
The second half saw the Lady Wolverines continue to dominate, scoring double the points while holding Royal Palm Beach back, finishing the game on top, 46-29.
The two teams met again on Tuesday, Jan. 22 when the Lady Wildcats traveled to Wellington. Again Wellington came away with the win, 52-31.
Wellington travels to Park Vista on Friday, Jan. 25 for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Above: Wellington’s Latoya Ashman looks to pass.
