The Wellington High School boys varsity basketball team pushed past Seminole Ridge High School 72-40 on Friday, Feb. 1 in The Acreage.
The Wolverines nabbed an early lead and kept the pressure on the Hawks throughout the entire game. Meanwhile, the Hawks missed opportunities to score points and gave up the ball to Wellington, giving them an edge.
In the first quarter, Wellington held Seminole Ridge to only two baskets, but put up 15 points of their own.
Alex Peavler and Stephon Gordon each nailed 3-point baskets, while Dondre Duffus and Arthur Strappazzon added additional points to bolster the Wolverines.
Both teams battled to control the ball early in the second quarter, but Peavler got a hold of the ball and nailed 3 points to make the score 18-4. It was followed by a basket by Nick Arena, bringing the score to 20-4.
Steveny Massillon responded with a 3-pointer for the Hawks to make the score 20-7, but Wellington came back with another basket to keep up the lead. Gordon then nailed a foul shot for Wellington, making the score 23-7 with about 5:30 left in the half.
About a minute later, Strappazzon added another basket for the Wolverines, which was answered seconds later by Luke Miller for Seminole Ridge to make the score 25-9 with 4:04 left in the half.
But Wellington continued to push, scoring back-to-back 3-point baskets — one by Peavler and the other by Duffus — to make the score 31-9 with less than three minutes remaining.
Next, Duffus tossed the ball from mid-court, and Gordon jumped up for a slam dunk, extending the Wolverines’ lead to 33-9. Duffus then added 2 foul points to make the score 34-9 with less than a minute to go in the half.
But the Hawks weren’t giving in. Massillon sank a 3-pointer, and Zach Lewis added two foul shots to make the score 34-14. Then, with less than 30 seconds on the clock, Gordon added 3 points to make the score 37-14.
Peavler finished the half with a 3-point basket at the buzzer to send the Wolverines into the second half leading 40-14.
In the second half, the Hawks tried to make up for lost points but were unable to overtake Wellington’s lead. Ultimately, the Wolverines came out on top, winning 72-40.
The Hawks traveled Tuesday, Feb. 5 to John I. Leonard High School for the District 10-8A playoffs, falling to the Lancers 66-58. The loss ended the Hawks’ playoff hopes for the season.
The Wolverines will face Dwyer High School Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. for the District 9-8A playoffs at home.
Above: Seminole Ridge’s Steveny Massillon takes the ball around Wellington’s Alex Peavler.
