Wellington climbs ‘wall’ to reach state
ATHENS — The theme for Wellington's quest to return to the Division IV state tournament was "Climb The Wall."
"It's about being fierce and determined in getting over that wall," Jaguars coach Artie Taylor said. "If we have to go around it, over it, through it ... whatever it takes we'll do it."
With three starters standing between 6 feet 5 and 6- 9, and three subs at least 6- 4, the game plan for Wellington on Friday night in a 70- 56 regional final victory over Portsmouth Clay mostly was to go over the proverbial wall.
Wellington put its height, length and athleticism advantages to good use with eight offensiverebound baskets and a spate of breakaway layups after securing long defensive rebounds. The Jaguars scored 32 points in the lane.
"Like everyone else, they focused on trying to make us shoot from the perimeter and we told the guards to just be positive and decisive because we'll get the rebound," Taylor said. "We mentioned during one of the timeouts that even if we go through a cold spell, our offensive rebounding will bail us out."
Although scrappy and tenacious, Portsmouth Clay — which boasts three 1,000- point career scorers and put up 100 points in a double- overtime victory Wednesday over Grove City Christian — lived and died from the threepoint line, and when the Panthers missed, they rarely got a second chance. Wellington outrebounded Clay 44- 27.
"We've had a size advantage on people all year and we always will," 6- 9 forward Dustin Harder said. "For us, it's about sticking with our principles on defense and hitting the boards. The game went about like we thought. We knew they'd go on a run, but we'd have to answer."
Wellington ( 21- 7), which will face Lima Perry in a state semifinal at 8: 30 p. m. Thursday at Value City Arena, jumped out to an 11- 0 lead and never trailed. It wasn't that easy, however.
Clay ( 24- 3) hit seven three- pointers in the second quarter and stayed within two possessions deep into the third quarter.
With three straight putback baskets to open the fourth quarter, the Jaguars got into their comfort zone and coasted to the win.
"Even as far back as June and July in preseason workouts, this has always been our goal," Harder said. "The transition has fallen into place perfectly. If anything, we're a lot more poised this time around."
Dallas Patrick had 18 points and Solomon Pierre- Louis 17 to pace Wellington. Harder contributed 11 points and eight rebounds and Noah Berry 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Cameron King scored 15 points and Brody Riffe 14 for Clay, which shot 35.3 percent from the field.