An alarming inability to capitalize on perhaps the two simplest areas of the game of basketball kept the Wright City girls basketball team out of the win column on Monday. Despite leading nearly the …
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Wright City Boys Fall in Overtime
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
An alarming inability to capitalize on perhaps the two simplest areas of the game of basketball kept the Wright City girls basketball team out of the win column on Monday.Despite leading nearly the entire game, the Wildcats struggled to convert on lay-ups, eventually surrendering control in a 47-42 defeat to Wellsville.“We really needed this one,” said Ross. “For a young team, we’ve got to figure out how to win. This is three games we’ve been close in and let get away from us.”Wright City led by as much as nine, but failed to extend the margin by making just 10 of 28 free-throw attempts.Several solid individual efforts, including 19 rebounds by Orlanda Hill, weren’t enough during a very physical contest.“We’re desperately looking for team leadership in tight game situations,” said Ross. “It’s the second time we’ve played a pretty good half but kept the other team in the game by missing lay-ups.”It appeared Wright City might pull away early after Kayla Jefferson opened the second quarter with consecutive buckets to offset a 16-16 tie. The Wildcats spent much of that period at the line but couldn’t build on a 28-23 lead going into halftime.Hill began to assert herself in the third quarter, pushing Wright City ahead 34-25.“We wanted to attack the basket, and we did that,” said Ross. “We also did a pretty good job on rebounds. Those two aspects I’m pleased with.”But Wellsville came storming back, completing a 10-1 run early in the fourth period to notch the game at 35-35.The Tigers took a 38-37 lead with 3:38 remaining, quickly pushing that margin to five.“We get away from our gameplan when things get close,” said Ross. “We stop attacking the basket and start taking 14 footers. That’s not where our strength is.”Karlee Pelton pulled Wright City to within two late, but Wellsville secured the win at the free-throw line.Ross says this game was critical in opening a week that features two more conference meetings, including a trip to Community R-6 on Tuesday and home contest against Montgomery County on Thursday.“When we miss all those layups and free throws, we can’t expect to win the game,” said Ross.The Wildcats’ only victory so far was against North County Christian last week.
Wright City senior Justin Wade soars above a group of Wellsville players to secure a rebound on Monday.
