Wynford vs Willard

Royals Give Willard All They Can Handle

By: MacKenton Johnson, “Royal Times”
The Lady Royals, 16-5, looked to improve on their winning season hosting a talented and young Willard Crimson Lady Flashes, 16-3 in their last regular season game in W.R. Donnenwirth Gymnasium. The Royals were definitely at a size disadvantage to the Lady Crimson Flashes and knew that the game would be physical. Gretchen Harris was put into the starting lineup for the Lady Royals due to Alyssa Harrer being out for a temporary knee injury. The game was physical as anticipated and a very intense battle between two very talented teams. Sydney Alspach hit a buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter cutting the Flashes lead to three points, 11- 8. Willard used their size and strength and capitalized on the Royals mistakes to take 14 point lead at the half, 29-15. Senior, Meghan Harrer said, “We knew coming into the game Willard was going to be very physical, and they were the whole game. We didn’t play very well the first half, but we knew we had to play tougher and not make as many mistakes in the second half if we wanted to stay in the game and come out with a win!” The Royals came out ready to play in the second half. They increased their defensive pressure and cut the Flashes lead to 6 points by the end of the third quarter trailing, 39-33. Sadly, Wynfords strong second half surge came up on the short end and Willard ended up taking one from the Lady Royals on their home court, 53-48. Meghan Harrer was the leading scorer for the Royals with 13 points. The Lady Royals ended their regular season with a overall record of 16-6 and NCC record of 13-2, sharing the title with the Riverdale Falcons. The Lady Royals will continue their season in the tournaments next Saturday, February 22nd at 6:15 and will play the winner of New London and Western Reserve at Shelby High School. 


The Lady Royals junior varsity team, 19-2, prepared for the Crimson Flashes and their final game of season. As soon as the game started, you could feel the energy the team brought to the court. The Royals continued their aggressive defensive play and kept the Flashes on edge the entire game. Before the first half ended, Mallory Moore drained two three’s giving the Royals momentum and 15 point lead going into the third quarter. Wynford ended their season with a 46-26 victory giving junior varsity coach, Mark Kocher his 403rd victory as junior varsity coach for the Royals. Sarah Ogden was the leading scorer for the Lady Royals with 15 points. The junior varsity team ended their season with an outstanding overall record of 20-2 and 14-1 in the NCC.