Unfortunately, Nocona measured up a bit bigger in the end.
Wellington did everything it could defensively in the fourth quarter in the day’s second semifinal at San Antonio’s Alamodome, holding Nocona without a field goal over the final 5:21. However, it was a five-minute span without scoring during most of that same time which doomed the Lady Skyrockets, as Nocona won 44-42 to advance to Saturday’s state championship game.
The Lady Skyrockets, making their first appearance in the state tournament, finished the season 29-7.
They came extremely close to facing Martin’s Mill in Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. championship game, though. Wellington’s Charley Wilbur rebounded a missed free throw and missed a 3-pointer with two seconds left as Nocona (35-3) survived.
“This year for us to come out and play that good in the regional tournament and be able to get her for the first time is overwhelming, but you also have a since of pride,” said Wellington senior Briley Waters, who along with Audrey Jones led the Lady Rockets with nine points.
Wellington looked destined for the state title game midway through the third quarter. The Lady Skyrockets led 24-21 at halftime and opened the second half with an 8-1 run, capped by a Jones free throw for a 32-22 lead.
By the end of the quarter, though, Nocona had cut the margin to 36-35, setting up a dramatic fourth quarter.
The two teams traded baskets to open the quarter, with Presley Kane’s short jumper giving Wellington a 38-37 lead. It was the last time the Lady Skyrockets led.
With 5:21 left, Nocona’s Megan Meekins, the game’s only player in double figures with 19 points, scored on a layup to give the Lady Indians a 39-38 lead, and they never trailed again. It began a 6-0 run for a 43-38 lead.
Wellington broke the run with a Jones basket to cut it to 43-40 with 34 seconds left. After Meekins hit another free throw, Jones scored again to cut it to 44-42, but those were the game’s final points.
“To be able to wear Wellington across your shirt is very special,” said Kane, one of six seniors playing her final game as a Lady Skyrocket. “We work hard for everything we got. We pushed through and had ups and downs this season. To wear Wellington means you’re going to work harder than everyone else and that’s what we did.”