In that regard, the game went as expected in terms of competitive spirit, but it was still too bad that only one team could advance out of the Class 2A area round showdown, where a team with a lofty ranking would see its season end.
So, it couldn’t quite be called an “upset” when No. 10 Wellington rallied in the fourth quarter to beat No. 7 Panhandle 41-38. Defense was the prevailing factor most of the evening for both teams, but when it came down to the final minute, Wellington (26-6) had the necessary offense to make a final defensive stand hold up and reach the region quarterfinal next week.
“When you’re playing a team like Panhandle that’s as tough and gritty and well-coached as that you know you’re going to be in for a battle,” Wellington coach Cade Brown said. “We were fortunate to see our girls overcome whatever was thrown at them tonight.”
Both teams threw defense at each other, making scoring points particularly difficult in the first half. Wellington took an early 7-1 lead before Panhandle (27-7) rallied and eventually led 14-11 at halftime, although neither team ever found an early offensive groove.
The first half did set the intensity for the game, as Panhandle’s five-point lead late in the half was the biggest lead of the first two quarters. Panhandle led by as many as eight in the third quarter before the Lady Skyrockets cut it to 28-24 at the end of the quarter.
“We got in the locker room (at halftime) and knew we had to come out with a lot of energy, and we did,” Jones said. “You drive to the hole a lot and draw a foul, that gives you energy and that’s what counts at the end of the game. I’ve played post a lot and we all had a pretty good matchup on the floor.”
Jones made a good deal of her living in the second half at the free throw line, hitting 10-of-13 from the stripe, but it a late missed free throw where she made perhaps Wellington’s biggest play of the season to date.
Bawcom missed both attempts, but Jones rebounded the second one and put it back in, drawing the foul in the process. Jones completed the three-point play to make it 40-36.
Addison McCold scored on Panhandle’s next possession to cut it to 40-38, and Jones was fouled on Wellington’s next possession. She made one of two free throws with 9.9 seconds left for a three-point lead. Panhandle’s Avery Cathey launched a 3-pointer which missed the mark, and the teams were scrambling for the stray ball as time expired.
“It’s definitely a win we feel like we earned and that makes it special,” Brown said. “Now we’re just getting our sites set on our next game, wherever that may be.”
Wilbur scored 10 points for Panhandle. McCold led Panhandle with 11 and Ann Garrison had 10.
Veteran Panhandle coach Rob Schmucker wasn’t surprised that points were as hard to come by as they were.
“All the Wellington-Panhandle games are like that,” Schmucker said. “It was hard to get a score so I was expecting the same game. The shots weren’t falling but you’ve got to give credit to Wellington. They made some stops then they started pounding it inside.”
Wellington 9 11 24 41
Panhandle 7 14 28 38
W- Audrey Jones 21, Charley Wilbur 10. P- Addison McCold 11, Ann Garrison 10. Records: Wellington 26-6; Panhandle 27-7.