Kirk departs the program as the team’s all-time assists leader (Photo by Earlene Frederick).
Lady Panthers suffer stunning loss to Milton
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Within five seconds, the Lady Panthers went from triumph to heartbreak in Saturday’s WIAA Division 2 regional title game against visiting No. 3 seed Milton.
Wilmot, who trailed 25-19 entering the second half, saw its deficit widen to 13 points, but the Lady Panthers kept chipping away, capped off by a Devin Coleman game-tying layup with 3.6 seconds left of regulation.
In overtime, with the Lady Panthers down by two points, Wilmot senior Ellie Turner buried what could have been the game-winning 3-pointer with 3 seconds left, pulling them ahead 63-62.
However, in the next possession, Milton sophomore Kailey Harbort, who knocked in a game-high 23 points, made a run to the basket after two passes to dash the Lady Panthers’ title hopes in the 64-63 Wilmot loss.
Despite the stunning loss, Wilmot coach Keiya Square told his players that he was proud of their efforts on the court.
“I told them that whatever happened in the game, I was proud of them,” Square said. “We were down by 13, it was pretty impressive.”
Wilmot 5-foot-6 senior Sam Kirk, who scored 13 points, collected four steals and contributed four assists, sparked a 14-4 run at the end of regulation, where she poured in four points.
Lady Panthers’ 5-10 Junior Delaney Sjong, who pitched in a team-leading 15 points and eight rebounds, added a basket and free throw.
Olivia Klahs, a senior 5-8 guard, pitched in another four in the rally, and finished with a team-leading three blocks, eight points and four assists.
After a Kirk bucket, Coleman found an open lane in the next possession to knot it up, sending the title match into overtime.
“For her, she was struggling to shoot the ball all game and for her to confidence in herself to do that was big,” Square said.
Coleman contributed six rebounds, three assists, a steal and had two points.
Kirk, who was in foul trouble after regulation, committed her fifth with 32 seconds left, drawing a huge applause from the Panthers fan base, following her illustrious career.
“I should have called a timeout to get her in on offense, and out of the defensive rotation,” Square said. “That was just a bad substitution on my part.”
Kirk finished her career as the all-time leading assists leader for girls basketball at Wilmot with 193 unofficially.
Turner, who made two clutch 3-pointers in overtime, finished with nine points for the Lady Panthers.
“Ellie’s two 3’s in overtime were huge,” Square said.
Teya Gaines, another senior, scored four points, including a basket to open the second half.
Square acknowledged all four seniors for their dedication to the program and for their performance Saturday.
“For all of our seniors to play as good as they did tonight, coming together and putting it all on the floor,” Square said. “It was nice to see.”
The No. 2 seeded Lady Panthers’ concluded the season with a 19-6 record.