Day’s big night leads Wilmington girls
Reynolds (33) Vs. Wilmington (39)
By JON GERAMITA
New Castle News
Even at 6-foot-2, Wilmington sophomore girls basketball forward Leah Day is the young pup among a veteran starting five.
The only underclassman of the Lady ’Hounds starters, Day watched Senior Night festivities, applauding her four teammates as their individual achievements were announced to the home crowd. She even presented point guard Brooke Buchowski with a rose.
But it was Day’s gift of a career-high 17 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks in a must-win game against District 10 Region 1 AA/A rival Reynolds that was most gratifying.
“I just dedicated this to (the seniors) because it’s their last home game and I want them to go out winners,” said Day afterh the Lady ’Hounds’ 39-33 victory.
Wilmington (7-6 region, 10-10 overall) led 24-14 early in the third quarter and looked to be in total control. Its 2-3 and 3-2 zone defenses forced bad shots as Day and Kara Kendall wcleaned up all the misses inside.
With 4:13 left in the third quarter, the Lady Raiders were just 6 of 36 from the field and had yet to attempt a free throw.
The problem for the Lady ’Hounds was they quit scoring.
Stacy Black’s 3-pointer broke an 0-for-13 stretch for Reynolds to make it 24-19. Later in the quarter, after two Wilmington turnovers, Chelsea D’Urso’s foul line runner gave the Lady Raiders their first lead at 24-23.
“Every game we seem to hit a stretch where we struggle,” Turk said. “And every team makes a run eventually.”
The game was close through most of the fourth quarter, with the Lady Raiders taking a 33-32 lead on Lindsey Gruber’s putback with 3:30 left.
But Day, who controlled the inside all night on defense, took command on the other end. Her turnaround jumper put the Lady ’Hounds up, 34-33. On the next possession, she kept a play alive that led to a Kara Kendall hoop.
Finally, after a turnover, Buchowski found Day underneath for a 38-33 lead with 1:09 left.
“I’m real excited for her because she’s getting better every day,”said Turk.
Kendall continued her tough play inside, scoring 10 points (all on foul shots or layups) while grabbing 12 rebounds — many by diving on the floor.
“Just like she’s been doing it all year for us,” said Turk of his senior. “Just a great, great job.”
Seniors Janelle Fauzey (eight points) and Shannon Garrett (eight rebounds) also played well, especially on defense.
Reynolds (7-5, 13-6) made just 13 of 60 (21 percent) from the field and attempted only six free throws.
“(Reynolds) shot so well the last time we played, and I think they throught they could just walk in here and win,” said Day.
Wilmington (7-6 region, 10-10 overall) remains alive for a playoff spot, but coach Brian Turk said that the District 10 committee’s decision is out of his hands, and that playing well down the stretch is the only thing he’s worried about.
“All we can do is our job,” he said, “and we did it tonight.”