Lady Blazers rout Wheaton in season finale

FEB. 24, WHEATON HIGH SCHOOL -

The Blair girls' basketball team ended their regular season on a high note, dominating the Wheaton Knights by a score of 73-15. The win sends the Lady Blazers to the playoffs on a three-game winning streak and with a record of 9-13.

The Blazers were not influenced by Wheaton's 0-21 record coming into the game. According to Head Coach William Lindsey, the team used a loss by a powerful Watkins Mill Wolverines team earlier in the season to a lesser foe as motivation to not lessen the intensity of their play. "You have to cite other situations and instances," said Lindsey.

Blair's dominance was clear early in the game. Senior Emily Ramsay scored eight of her game-high 14 points in the first quarter, helping the Blazers jump out to an early lead. Blair's defense helped to extend that lead, forcing 14 turnovers and allowing only four points on seven Wheaton shots in the first.

The game began to get out of hand in the second quarter. Guard Janay Walker nailed two three-pointers midway through the second, giving Blair a 33-4 lead. However, the story of the second quarter was the Blazers' defense. From the 4:35 mark of the first quarter, the Knights went 12 minutes without a field goal. The drought left Wheaton trailing 33-6 at the half.

In the second half, the Blazers assured themselves of a victory. Blair's defense continued to clamp down on the Wheaton offensive attack, allowing the Knights to connect on only two of their 24 field goal attempts in the second half. The Blazers also forced another 20 turnovers, giving Wheaton a total of 44 for the game. Blair's offensive attack came from a somewhat unlikely source in the second half. The ever-increasing lead allowed Coach Lindsey to give playing time to his reserves; every player on Blair's roster took at least one shot during the game as a result. In addition, all but two of the 14 players on the Blazer roster scored points in the game.

With the regular season completed, the Lady Blazers now turn to the playoffs. Coach Lindsey believes the team stands a chance of doing well in the postseason. "If we continue to play like we are, there's no reason why we can't make a serious run. There isn't one particular team that we really have to fear," said Lindsey.

The Lady Blazers' first playoff game takes place on Fri., Feb. 27 at 6:00 PM. Blair will go on the road to play the Watkins Mill Wolverines.