Wilmot takes control of SLC
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
In a clash for first place in the Southern Lakes Conference, the Lady Panthers roared through a 10-point deficit to defeat host Union Grove Tuesday, to take sole possession of the SLC.
The 50-45 victory snapped a two-game losing streak and avenged a season-ending loss to the Broncos last year.
Wilmot junior Delaney Sjong scored a game-high 14 points, including two go-ahead baskets in the second half, collected two boards with an assist and blocked shot.
Panthers’ coach Keiya Square acknowledged Sjong’s fearless approach when it mattered most.
“She played well and played within herself,” said Square, whose team improved to 9-2 (5-0 SLC). “She finished strong and got physical in there.”
Sjong said it was a huge moral victory for the Panthers.
“It is indescribable, it is really hard going into the Grove and get a big win here,” she said.
Clinging to a 21-20 lead entering halftime, Wilmot endured a 13-2 Broncos run in the first four minutes of the second half to fall behind 33-23.
However, the Panthers chipped away at the Broncos’ lead with a 14-3 run, capped off with 3-pointers by senior Sam Kirk and junior McKenna Stanek, and the first of Sjong’s two go-ahead buckets.
Kirk finished with seven points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Stanek, a junior guard, had six points and a rebound.
Sjong stated the Panthers regained composure and slowed down on offense, which endured some difficulty in the paint to start the game.
“We really needed to calm our nerves down the stretch,” Sjong said. “When it came to crunch time we didn’t rush our finishes.”
The Broncos, who trailed 37-36, responded with an 8-3 run to retake the lead at 44-40.
Wilmot, who pounded the paint, drew back-to-back Union Grove personal fouls that turned into two Kirk free throws, and one from junior guard Olivia Klahs to make it 44-43 Union Grove at 2:04.
Klahs had a blocked shot, a steal and five points.
With two minutes left, Wilmot clamped down on defense to force the Broncos into outside shots, which resulted in several missed shots from the perimeter, and led to Sjong’s decisive game-winning basket with 1:26 in the game.
The defensive shift took the Broncos by surprise, according to coach Rob Domagalski.
“We lost our concentration,” Domagalski said. “To their credit, their half court defense was pretty good, taking away the inside stuff.”
Union Grove went 5-for-19 from the perimeter.
Junior Devin Coleman (three rebounds, two steals, blocked shot, two assists) and senior Ellie Turner, who snagged a team-leading five boards, bolstered the Panthers’ lead with two free throws each.
Turner finished with five points.
Union Grove, who dropped to 8-3 (4-1 SLC), were led by Jackie Bianchi and Janelle Shiffler with 10 points apiece.