by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington girls basketball team rolled to a 50-35 victory over the Circle Thunderbirds Tuesday evening at Crusader gymnasium. The win gives Wellington a 3-2 record at the end of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div. IV first rotation.

“It was the best first half we have played all season,” said Eric Adams, Wellington head girls basketball coach. “It was also the ugliest second half we’ve played all season.”

The Crusaders opened with a 21-13 first quarter lead and then went on a 16-5 second-quarter run to lead 37-18 at the half. 

The second half saw neither team really breaking out in the open with Circle outscoring Wellington 17-13.

“Circle was having trouble with its transition in the first half,” Adams said. “They came out in a half-court set and really took us out of our game. That is something we really need to work on in practice.”

While Adams may not be sympathetic, Wellington fans could forgive the Lady Dukes for a letdown in the second half.  That was a pretty impressive first 16 minutes of basketball.

Wellington had six different players come out and score in the first quarter including leading scorer Carlie McComb, who had 7 of her 13 points in the first quarter. She was 6 of 7 at the free throw line in the first half.

Up by five, Wellington took control in the second quarter and built its 19-point advantage.

The locker room chilled Wellington a bit. The Lady Dukes did not score for the first four minutes of the second half. Thankfully, Circle wasn’t scoring on the other end either. Senior Jaedyn Ledesma broke the cold spell with two free throws and a layup.

At quarter’s end, Crusader Holly Wright hit a jumper from the right wing at the buzzer to make it 44-27.

The final quarter was rather uneventful. Circle would never get much closer than 13 points of the Crusaders. Wellington would go on to win big.

Friday Wellington will play Winfield which Adams says will be the most talented team the Crusaders will see thus far this season.

“They have incredible three-point shooters and a 6-2 post,” Adams said.

When asked if he thought it would be an upset if Wellington wins Friday. He said, “yes.”

Circle 13 5 9 8 — 35

Wellington 21 16 7 6 — 50

Circle: Highbarger 5, Wilson 1, Metzger 9, Kirkham 2, Frankerbery 10, Bruenell 5, Wilson 3. Total: 22 (9) 4-11 35. Well. Lewellen 3, French 3, Wright 4, Snipes 11, Zimmerman 6, McComb 13, Ledesma 8, Salvador 2. Total: 30 (9) 11-21 50.

Rebound Leaders: Zimmerman 10, Snipes 7, French 7 and Ledesma 6.
Wellington outrebounded Circle 42 to 27.