BUFFALO GAP – Buffalo Gap encountered a depleted Wilson Memorial team Monday night and the Bison did just what they needed to do.
The Bison led by 18 points at halftime and then turned back a Wilson comeback attempt in the fourth quarter to hand the Hornets their first district loss of the season, 59-50, in Shenandoah District girls action.
“We knew they were missing some players, and we got off to a good start,” said Gap head coach Phillip Morgan. “I told the girls at halftime that Wilson was going to make a run. I knew they were going to pick up the intensity and we would need to match that. We were able to withstand their run, maybe not quite as well as I would have liked, and picked up the win.”
The Hornets were down three players, including starting guard Sabrina Reeves. Wilson had just seven players dressed and one of those was Ariella Mensah Agyekum, fresh up from the junior varsity.
“Tonight was a challenge because we had three players out with the flu. We got down but battled back to make it a game. I couldn't be prouder of my team,” said Wilson head coach Jackie Bryan.
Gap led 13-6 after the first quarter and a 9-0 spurt to start the second quarter gave the Bison control. Rachael Carter scored after grabbing an offensive board and Hannah Coffman went coast-to-coast after pulling down a defensive rebound, giving Gap a 17-6 lead. After a free throw by Kayleigh Hemp, Carter and Coffman scored again, making the score 22-6.
CC Robinson scored Wilson’s first field goal of the second quarter on a stickback, but a steal and bucket by Rachel Showalter and a 12-footer by Coffman put Wilson out front 30-10. Gap led at the half, 31-13.
A bucket by Carter had the Bison up by 20 points, 37-17, in the third quarter before the Hornets made their first big push of the night. Estee Irving knocked down a 3-pointer and Robinson scored down low, trimming the margin to 15. A short jumper by Kayleigh Coffey and a layup by Desi Mensah-Agyekum cut the deficit to 11 points, 37-26.
A free throw by Bailey Tribble, followed by a driving layup from Showalter pushed the margin back to 14 points. Desi Mensah scored inside and Robinson added a foul shot as the third quarter ended with Gap leading 40-29.
The teams traded points for most of the fourth quarter with Gap’s lead fluctuating between eight and 14 points.
Two foul shots by Desi Mensah trimmed the margin to seven with 49.9 seconds left and a Gap turnover gave Wilson possession.
The Hornets had a chance to make things really interesting as Irving had an open look at a 3-pointer from the left corner. Her shot rattled in and out with 40 seconds left.
Gap’s Karah Richie and Coffman combined to go 4-of-4 from the line in the final 37.6 seconds as the Bison finished off the 59-50 victory.
Coffman has made it a habit to play well against Wilson and that was the case once again Monday as she poured in 27 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. She had help in the scoring column as Richie and Carter both reached double figures with 10 points each.
“We have to get those contributions from others on a consistent basis. We need other people stepping up,” Morgan said.
A continued bright spot for Wilson is the emergence of Desi Mensah as a force on both ends of the court. She led the Hornets with 22 points. “Desi just keeps getting better and better,” said Bryan. Robinson had another double-double night with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Wilson.
Buffalo Gap also won the junior varsity game, 35-22.
Stuarts Draft 55, Fort Defiance 19
FORT DEFIANCE – Stuarts Draft outscored Fort Defiance 19-5 in the second quarter to take a 29-7 halftime lead and the Cougars continued to control the game in the second half for a 55-19 victory.
Draft’s defense limited the Indians to just five made field goals in the game. The Cougars finished the contest with 19 steals.
Ava Flippin paced Draft with 15 points. Augusta Seibert scored 10 points while Ella Ott added eight points and a team-high four steals.
Caroline Hanger led Fort with eight points.
Staunton 58, Waynesboro 43
STAUNTON – Staunton closed out its home schedule with a 58-43 district victory over rival Waynesboro on Monday.
The Storm picked up a much-needed victory as the team tries to secure a spot in the 12-team Region 3C tournament field.
Staunton had two tough road games remaining, a non-district game at James River, and a district matchup at Riverheads.