by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Perfection is a tough old bird.

Wellington girls are 15-0 but it hasn’t come easily. And Tuesday night was an example of just how elusive that thing of a perfect record can be as Winfield came into Crusader gymnasium and nearly upset the Lady Dukes 46-43.

In the nightcap game, Wellington boys would beat Winfield 70-62

The Lady Vikings, on paper, looked like a team Wellington could have easily handled. After all, El Dorado beat the Vikings 42-32 as did Andale 46-32. But Winfield was a last second game-tying basket away from sending Wellington into overtime.

Wellington is getting zoned and Winfield was no exception which has equalized the Crusaders with their opponents somewhat in the second half of the season. But with slightly less than four minutes to play, Wellington attacked Winfield’s zone by, well, not attacking it. For almost four minutes, Wellington went into a stall offense.

Working the ball back and forth, Wellington worked more than three minutes off the clock leading, 44-43. Winfield, in a 2-3 set, wouldn’t budge, and stayed stubborn until there was 44.8 seconds to play. Lauryn Snipes would finally get fouled. She made the first but missed the second.

Up by two, Winfield took the ball downcourt and missed the next bucket. Wellington’s Shayland French rebounded. She eventually went to the line and hit 1 of 2. And with 12.6 seconds, Winfield had a chance to tie the game. The Vikings could not get a shot off before time expired.

This marked another escape for the Crusaders, who are finding they are getting opponents best shot each night. Wellington has more work to do this Friday when Andale comes to town. Despite winning up there by 16, this game could be a barn burner.

One thing about this Crusader team, it is a resilient bunch. They have survived close calls against Sterling, Circle, Goddard, and now Winfield. They have come out victorious each time – sometimes in the final seconds.

Winfield hit nine 3-pointers Tuesday night. Viking senior Abby Bertholf would hit five of those en route to 21 points.

“We knew they could hit 3-point shots and if they were hitting – look out. They were hitting some contested 23 to 24 footers on us,” Adams said. “We couldn’t get through their screens in the first half. We did a better job in the second half but give them credit. They brought it.”

Adams said late in the game it was Snipes decision to go into a stall. She wanted to drag them out of it. Wellington flourishes against a man-to-man defense.

“I thought with four minutes left that was dicey considering we were just up by one point,” Adams said. “But she looked over at me and said ‘coach we can do this.’”

Winfield head coach Jason VenJohn said he wouldn’t dare go man with Wellington until he absolutely had to.

“There were some things we knew we could do against you guys tonight,” VenJohn said. “And I thought our girls did an exceptional job. Hopefully we will see you again in substate.”

The 5-10 Vikings, senior laden, is a group that had high hopes going into the season. This particular senior group was undefeated in middle school but things hadn’t worked out for them earlier this year. VenJohn said the team has been battling injuries all year but have been getting better.

Friday night, it scored a huge victory over Circle 57-52 and Adams knew going in, this was going to be tough. Boy was it ever.

Winfield never would allow that one big run that is typical of this Crusader team. The two teams were knotted at 10 at the end of the first quarter and Winfield opened up an 18-10 lead early in the second. Wellington would tie the game back up soon after but at the half the Vikings were in front 23-22.

In the second half, Wellington still couldn’t shake loose of the Vikings, who hit three 3-pointers. At the end of the third it was 37-all.

Crusaders allowed just two more field goals and none during the final four minutes. But by that time, Wellington was playing keep away.

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In the Wellington boys game, the Crusaders disposed of the one-win Vikings 70-62.

Wellington, fresh off its biggest win of the season against Augusta, was not sharp in its win Tuesday.

Wellington led 16-11 in the first quarter, and was in front 36-27 at half. The Vikings narrowed the margin to three, 49-46 before the Crusaders would build up a 10 point lead.

A.J. Snipes led the Crusaders with 24 points. Jordan Mays led Winfield with 18.