Wolverines wipeout winning streak

DEC. 17, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

In a close game today, the Watkins Mill Wolverines narrowly defeated the JV girls' basketball team 47-49. This upsetting loss came after four consecutive wins-tarnishing the team's previously undefeated record by dropping to 4-1 for the season.

During the past week, the Blazers demolished Northwood 61-25, Bethesda-Chevy Chase 37-20 and Walter Johnson 38-30. In their game against Walter Johnson, Blair allowed their opponents to make a come back during the second half, nearly losing the lead. The opposite is true for tonight's game. "Our team came back towards the end," said coach Kristin Werdann. "It's the first half that hurt us most."

Center freshman Kymanhi West scored the first three points of the game after sinking a lay-up and a foul shot called during the same play. Ten seconds later, West, who totaled the most number of points in the past four wins, scored again from beneath the basket. The Wolverines would not remain scoreless very long, but they were only able to trail the Blazers. Watkins Mill scored six points during the first quarter, compared to Blair's 11.

Unfortunately, the Blazers were not as successful during the second quarter. Blair drained 10 points, and allowed Watkins Mill to score 14 points. Watkins Mill's more tenacious defense kept the ball in Wolverine possession for the majority of the eight minutes. When the Blazers had control of the ball, their opponents would cover every player, forcing Blair to pass long, often over the heads of their intended targets. Several turnovers occurred in Watkins Mill's favor due to errors in passing. The Wolverines fought hard to turn the game around before halftime, but despite four attempts to take the lead with five seconds left on the clock, Blair held onto the lead 21-20.

The manner in which the first points of the second half were scored was coincidentally similar to that of the first half. However, this time it was a Wolverine who scored two points and a free throw. This play seemed to foreshadow the remainder of the game in which the Blazers would try to catch up. Blair's turnovers continued, as did the Watkins Mill's inclination to rebound. The Blazers finished the third quarter 31-32.

In the last and most exciting quarter, Blair regained confidence to finish the game on a high note. With 7:20 left in regulation, one of West's long passes found its way across the court to sophomore Helen Denbow to put away two points and regain the lead 35-34. Sadly, the lead was short lived. Although Blair played more aggressively, the Wolverines would not back down. One of Blair's quickest players, freshman Meghan Cadigan was elbowed and suffered from a mild concussion with less than five minutes left on the clock and the score at 37-42. With Cadigan on the side line, West and sophomore Ebony Winfield took charge and together, scored the last ten points of the game. With 28 seconds left in regulation and 46-49 on the board, Winfield missed two foul shots. Fourteen seconds later, West missed one of two foul shots. In total, Watkins Mill scored 17 points in the fourth quarter while Blair scored 16.

By the end of the match, Winfield, Cadigan and Ramsay each scored six, and West put away an astounding 23 points.

Though some Blazers thought the loss was disappointing, West was proud of the way her teammates played. "It was a good game. We had a few slip ups, but we still did well and tried hard."

Next, the Blazers will play away against Damascus at 5:15 on Dec. 20.