By: Ed Weaver / December 15, 2024
The Wellsboro Junior High Girls Basketball team went 1-3 following the Thanksgiving break, beating Canton and falling to North Penn-Mansfield and Wyalusing.
Wellsboro held off a late Canton 15-8 4th quarter surge to hold on for a 26-23 win. Haylie Smith was the top scorer for Wellsboro with 12 points while Kya Lawton added 5 points and Dillyn Patt, Olivia Patt, Lena Rothermel, and Paige Rush each chipped in with 2 points apiece. Lawton also pulled down 13 boards, Rothermel added 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and Lawton and Smith made 4 steals each.
Against rival Mansfield, the Hornets ended up getting edged out, 22-21. The Tigers jumped out to a 10-2 1st quarter lead, however Wellsboro battled back to tie the game up at halftime. The second half remained intense, with both teams exchanging baskets, but the game came down to the final seconds. Despite a valiant effort, Wellsboro couldn't quite pull ahead.
Smith led the Hornets' scoring effort with 8 points, while Rothermel contributed 7 points, including a clutch 3-point buzzer-beater. Lawton added 4 points and Dillyn Patt chipped in 2 points. On the defensive end, both Smith and Lawton were standout performers, each recording 7 steals.
Against Wyalusing, Wellsboro fell 33-23. Rothermel led the team with 10 points, Smith added 6 points, while Dillyn Patt, Olivia Patt, and Rush each contributed 2 points apiece. Lawton also grabbed 13 rebounds while also contributing 5 steals and 3 assists.
Against Troy on Saturday, Wellsboro battled back from down 10 points (23-13) at halftime, but ultimately lost, 37-34. The game was tied 30-all heading into the 4th quarter.
Lawton led the team in scoring with 13 points, Rush contributed 8 points, and Rothermel added 5. Shayla Hamblin and Dillyn Patt each chipped in 4 points each.
Wellsboro (5-8) travels to Troy Monday evening and plays their final regular season home game on Wednesday against Athens.