By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

The Wilmington High boys basketball team’s postseason fate is in the hands of the District 10 committee.

The Greyhounds had a chance to make a strong case for a playoff berth but couldn’t deliver last night.

West Middlesex scored 14-straight points over a span of four minutes, 20 seconds in the first half last night en route to an 80-43 District 10, Region 2-AA road win over Wilmington.

The loss drops the Greyhounds to 7-5 in the region and 12-10 overall. Mercer (7-5, 12-10) defeated last-place Lakeview (2-10, 8-14) last night, 58-44, to further jeopardize Wilmington’s chances. The Greyhounds are in a three-way tie for second with the Mustangs and Reynolds (7-5, 15-7).

“It’s up to them now on who gets in and who doesn’t,” Wilmington coach Mike Jeckavitch said. “I think we’ve done enough with a 7-5 region record. At worst, we’re tied for second.

“If they decide to take the best teams, I still think we’re one of those best teams. We may not have shown that (last night). Calls didn’t go our way. Shots didn’t go our way. But, we’ll see what happens.”

Jeckavitch acknowledged his team’s focus was on the region-champion Big Reds (12-0, 17-5) and not on the playoff picture.

“We prepared for West Middlesex. They’re a good team,” he said. “You can’t take that away from them. We struggled with foul trouble all night. We didn’t get calls going our way and we didn’t make enough shots.”

West Middlesex, which never trailed, led 8-5 with 1:56 left in the opening quarter. The Big Reds went on a 14-0 run to push the count to 22-5 with 5:36 remaining in the first half.

“They did a little in transition, which is kind of our game,” Jeckavitch said of the run. “They made open shots, too. Even when they missed a shot, they got the rebound for another kickout.”

The Greyhounds struggled with their shooting, missing several layups, and making just 6 of 14 from the foul line as well.

“It’s inconsistency; we’ve been streaky at times this year,” Jeckavitch said. “It’s been kind of the story of our season.

“We’re good some games and not so good in other games. West Middlesex was good tonight, I’ll give them that.”

Rocco Fagan paced Wilmington with 13 points and Spencer DeMedal was next with 11.

Trey Staunch netted a game-best 26 points for West Middlesex and Isaac Williams chipped in with 18 markers on six 3-pointers.

“Staunch and Williams both played phenomenal games,” Jeckavitch said. “They’re region champions for a reason. I’m hoping that we get another chance to see them again.

“Isaac Williams shot the heck out of the ball. But I thought my guys played hard and they didn’t quit at the end.”
(Email: rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com)