Girls Varsity Basketball

Wynford's Tourney Trail Comes to an End

By: Todd Enders, "Royal Times"

The Wynford Royals (19-7) held the game in touch for three quarters, but fall to the Africentric Lady Nubians (23-3), 52-32, in the Regional Semi-Final contest. The Lady Nubians averaged 77 points per game this season and were held well below their average with a similar game plan as last seasons contest, shorten the game. "A deliberate offensive and defensive game plan was crucial for us to be able to compete late in the game", Coach Amy-Taylor Sheldon said. Numerous times during the second half of the game Africentric stood at half-court dribbling as the Lady Royals stayed put in their 2-3 zone running time off the clock. "Wynford is so well coached, deliberate, and patient." Head coach William McKinney said. "This is one team that we play and have to think about slowing down the game".
Wynford's students and fans came out in full force to support the Royals, and the excitement could be felt early. Using patience and controlling the tempo of the game, the Royals were able to keep the Lady Nubians high powered offense in touch; trailing 14-9 at the end of quarter one. 
The second quarter looked as if the Royals game plan was having an effect on Africentric's offense, but Wynford could only manage to get within three points of the the Lady Nubian's two different times during the second quarter. The first on Brenna Quinn's two point field goal, cutting the lead to 14-11, forcing Africentric to take an early timeout with 7:19 remaining in the second. The second was Beth Delong's baseline three cutting the lead to three again, 17-14. Unfortunately, Africentric's pressure defense forced the Royals to commit some costly turnovers before halftime. A seven point run increased the Lady Nubians lead to 10, 24-14 at halftime. 

The second half played into the Royals game plan as the Lady Nubians began stalling. After Wynford forced a couple of turnovers using a trapping defense, the sharp shooting of Meghan Harrer and Wynford's great team defense kept the Royals within winning distance. Harrer hit two big threes during the third cutting the Nubian's lead to five, the closest the Royals would get during the third quarter, 28-23. "During the stretch, a couple of key turnovers and missed shots eliminate two or three key possessions for us", Coach Taylor-Sheldon said. "In this type of game it makes a big deal". The third quarter was the only quarter that the Royals outscored Africentric, 9-7, but the Nubian's held on to a 31-23 lead at the end of the third quarter with a big three at its end. 
The Lady Nubian's numerous offensive weapons were just to much for the Lady Royals during the fourth quarter. Giving up a steal to start the fourth quarter increased Africentric's lead to 10. They would not look back from here continuing to increase their lead. Coach Taylor-Sheldon was happy with the teams performance this year. "We came a long way this season in our mental and physical toughness, didn't back down from anyone and accomplished all of goals this season".
The Royals were lead by seniors Quinn and Harrer in scoring with 12 and 9 points, respectfully. Africentric was lead in scoring by Sierra Harley with 17 points. Africentric advances to the regional finals taking on Archbold, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.