Wellington seniors in the final minute of the Rock Creek game.

By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Years from now, history is going to look back at the last five-year run the Wellington girls basketball team has had and be in awe. Their accomplishments: a state championship, two state finals, four state finalists, five straight state tournaments, five league tournaments, countless first-place tournament trophies, and a winning percentage of over .900. It almost defies description.

On Friday morning, the season came to an end. Rock Creek defeated Wellington 66-48 in a meaningless third-place state tournament game. The Crusaders ended the season at 22-3.

Cruz Cornejo completes her senior year in third place game with Rock Creek.

Wellington head coach Eric Adams stated:

“It is such a tight-knit group, wonderful kids. They are not only winners on the court but in the game of life. No words to describe what these girls mean to me.”

Five girls will graduate from the team: Lyndi Barton, Cruz Cornejo, Claire Ginter, Addison Schmelle and Kylan Gregory have ended their careers at Wellington.

The three Gregory sisters on the Wellington team share a moment after the game.

As for the game itself, it was a battle of the two top public schools in Class 4A. Rock Creek, located east of Manhattan, broke the game open in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lady Dukes 22-11. The Mustangs went 75 percent from the field and hit three big 3-pointers down the stretch to secure the win.

The first quarter started slowly for both teams, as expected for a Friday morning. Rock Creek led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter. In the second, Wellington’s Dru Zeka hit a deuce and Cornejo drilled a 3-pointer to give the Crusaders a brief 16-15 lead.

Rock Creek led 26-18 at the half.

Lyndi Barton ended her career with 12 points in her final high school game.

The Mustangs kept their distance throughout the second half. Wellington narrowed the margin to four with 2:49 in the third quarter when Kirstyn Gregory nailed a 3-pointer.

But Rock Creek secured victory early in the fourth with three 3-pointers and deft shooting from the foul line. The Mustangs were led by Kylee Frazee with 23 points. Aurora Pitzer had 12 and Hadley Hake 10.

Wellington’s Lyndi Barton and Dru Zeka both scored 12 points, while Kirstyn Gregory had 11.

Wellington girls during the third-place ceremony.

The Crusader shot 16 of 51 from the field and an impressive 10 of 14 from the free-throw line.

Rock Creek controlled the boards, nabbing 49 of them to Wellington’s 20. The Crusaders, though, had half as many turnovers as Rock Creek- 20 to 10.

The full stats can be found here.