Wellington boys get convincing 54-21 win over Clearwater on Senior Night
Jack Wright scores 23 for Wellington Friday night.
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington boys got a win when they needed it the most and did so in a convincing fashion.
The Crusaders bounced winless Clearwater 54-21 to improve to 12-6 and maintain a No. 6 seed in the Class 4A-West standings (see here). Lots could happen in the final week, with Wellington traveling to Collegiate and Andale on Tuesday and Thursday. Wellington could get as high as a No. 4 seed or sink as low as No. 9 and end up on the road in the first round of the Class 4A sub-state.
There are a lot of post-season scenarios, but Wellington could really help itself with a victory over at least one of the gruesome twosome of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div IV next week.
It was senior night at Crusader Gymnasium, being the final home regular season game for Wellington. Malachi Rogers, Jack Wright, Montel Tate, Banks Hinshaw, and Cope Henry are all seniors.
The Crusaders did not disappoint on the hardwood, winning convincingly against a program struggling mightily. Wellington had trouble with Clearwater at its place, winning in overtime. Friday’s game was never in doubt.
“We needed that win, not only for playoff seedings but a jolt of good energy heading into next week and beyond,” said Joe Newman, Wellington’s head boys basketball coach.
Carter Burnett gets manhandled by this Clearwater defender when going up for a shot.
Wellington led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter but would outscore Clearwater 14-1 in the second. Yes, that’s one free throw by the Indians in the quarter.
In the third quarter, Wellington expanded its advantage to 37-16 and got the benefit of a running clock in the fourth for the win.
Clearwater was held to seven field goals and one 3-pointer. Jack Wright had a tremendous game in the final home regular season game of his career. He scored 23 points. Montel Tate followed with 14.
Now comes Collegiate, a team the Wellington boys have never beaten. But the Crusaders have come closer to beating the Spartans at their place than at home — losing by single digits in the past two years, including an overtime loss a couple of years ago.
“They’re a dang good team, and it is their senior night, so that that place will be rocking,” Newman said. “In order to steal one, we’re going to have to take care of the ball and be ready to battle. They’re a physical group, and we have to withstand that in order to come out with a win.”
Wellington 54 Clearwater 21
Clearwater — 6 1 9 5 — 21
Wellington — 9 14 14 17 — 54
Clearwater: Fugarino 6, Fisher 5, Kausmeyer 4, Walter 2, Kirby 2, Burford 1, Haslett 1. Total: 6 (1) 6-10 21. Wellington: Wright 23, Tate 14, Burnett 8, Rogers 5, Hinshaw 3, Henry 3, Glenn 2, Ayers 2. Total: 14 (7) 5-8 54.
