By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The curse of Mulvane has been an issue for Wellington sports teams in years past – especially when post season implications are concerned.

But Tuesday night in Mulvane there was none of that for the varsity Wellington basketball teams.

Wellington boys overwhelmed Mulvane 71-31 in a tail kicking of mammoth proportions. Wellington girls struggled down the stretch but still won 47-41.

In the boys game, Wellington had seven players in double figures. Wesley Gilmore, a junior, led the team with 16 while freshman Ian King had 15. 

“We had a great defensive game, “ said Brian Buchanan, Wellington head boys basketball coach. “We went after deflections going in and were successful in doing that.”

This game was over before it really started. Wellington opened with a 20-4 first quarter lead and held a 50-17 advantage at halftime. The Crusaders would then outscore the Wildcats 27-5 in the third quarter to lead 67-22 going into the final stanza.

Trevor Nance had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as well as six assists.

“I was really proud with how the boys evenly distributed the ball,” Buchanan said. “Early we scored inside. When Mulvane packed it in we then distributed the ball to the outside and had success scoring threes.”

Wellington has now won two straight on the road and is 9-7 overall and 2-4 in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div. IV. But in this league, there is always a good team on the horizon. Collegiate will come into Wellington Friday night bringing its high voltage offense and consuming defense.

“They have been showing no mercy to the opponents, especially with their backcourt pressure,” Buchanan said. “We have to be ready.”

On the girls side, Wellington improved its record to 10-7 overall with its six point win.

“The effort and intensity was good for three quarters, but Mulvane out hustled, out rebounded and won every 50-50 ball in the fourth quarter,” said Eric Adams, Wellington head girls basketball coach. “We need to understand how to finish games when leading by 10 plus points in the second half.”

Lauryn Snipes was again the leading scorer with 15 points. Tayland French had 14 and Shayland French 10.

The Crusaders led 13-8 at the end of the first quarter and was in front 25-15 at the half. The two teams traded baskets in the third quarter with Mulvane outscoring the Dukes 15-11 in the fourth.

The win puts the Dukes at 10-7 for the season and 8-2 over the past 10 games which included an overtime loss to eighth ranked Andale.

Wellington hosts 14-3 Wichita Collegiate this Friday night.

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