Mekenna Adams, a freshman, helps lift Wellington to victory.

by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Merry Christmas, Wellington. You just swept Mulvane.

All five Wellington basketball teams including the varsity boys and girls basketball teams were victorious over the green and white Friday night during the Crusaders home opener.

Wellington boys improved to 4-1 with a 70-52 victory over Mulvane. The Wellington girls would improve to 2-3 with a 53-26 win.

•••••

Boys win big 

“It has been awhile,” said Brian Buchanan, Wellington head boys basketball coach about going 4-1, the highest mark for the program in this decade.

Getting 23 points from Trevor Nance and 17 from A.J. Snipes, the Crusaders dominated Mulvane from start to finish.

“It was fun scoring 70 points,” Buchanan said. “Nance and Snipes put on a show tonight – especially Nance who is averaging more than 20 points but getting double digit rebounds.”

Wellington opened with a 19-10 point first quarter lead thanks in part to Snipes 8 points in the first quarter. Wellington would lead 33-21 at the half. It would outscore Mulvane 17-11 and 20-19 in the third and fourth quarter.

Girls improve to 1-1

The Wellington girls would dominate Mulvane from start to finish. Like the boys, the Lady Dukes would outscore their opponent in all four quarters.

The Crusaders opened with a 14-7 first quarter lead and held a 27-13 advantage at the half. In a third quarter that was ugly for both teams, Wellington would outscore the Wildcats 12-3.

“The first half I thought we were going through the motions,” said Eric Adams, Wellington head girls basketball coach. “We were lethargic to start the third as well, and then after we had a heart-to-heart talk during a timeout, hey took off. Overall, we were pleased with the win.”

Adams said post touches was a problem tonight.

“We work on that in practice about 15 minutes every practice,” Adams said. “That is something that should have been worked out during the summer. But that will come around.”

Lauryn Snipes led Wellington with 19 points. Tayland French had 11.

The Crusaders, who are 2-3 at Christmas break and 1-1 in the league, will return to action in January at Wichita Collegiate on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

•••••

In other basketball scores:

Wellington JV girls:  Wellington 29 Mulvane 11

Scoring: Shelby McNamara 6, Mariah Moore 6, Tayland French 5, Mekenna Adams 4, Gracie Fink 3, Madi Lewellen and Abbie Lowe with 2 and Mercedes Vazquez with 1

Wellington C boys: Wellington 35 Mulvane 26

WHS  9  7  7  12  35

MHS  14  3  4  5  26

Scoring: Mutazammil 5, Phelps 4, Cary 5, Adams 1, Frame 8, Burresh 2, Edwards 2, Long 2, Jones 6

Wellington JV boys: Wellington 48 Mulvane 39

WHS  12  11  11  14  48

MHS  14  7  8  10  39

Phelps 3, Walton 4, Frame 5, Driskell 13, Edwards 2, Hamel 9, King 8, Jones, L 2, Jones, D 2.
Follow us on Twitter.