Waves win at the buzzer, Girls rout Lee, 3-0 in district
Published 4:08 pm Tuesday, January 15, 2019
By Brad Greer
Welcome back Walt Miller.
After missing last Friday’s loss to Marshall Academy with a ankle injury, the North Delta junior made a triumphant return to the starting lineup, draining a game-winning three pointer with 3.7 seconds to North Delta to a trilling 63-60 win over Lee Academy Tuesday.
The victory snapped North Delta’s 10-game losing streak and earned the Green Wave boys their first district win in over two years.
“Walt has been one of our go-to guys this so far this season and getting him back into the lineup seemed to add a spark tonight,” said North Delta head coach Will Florence.
Miller, who along with Colin Hartman, led North Delta with 16 points each, knocked down a trey to tie the game at 60-60 with1:24 remaining in the contest, then swished the game-winner after Lee had missed a go-ahead basket.
“We have been in a few close games this year and haven’t been able to finish, but we’re still trying to learn how and hopefully this is the jumpstart we need. Drake Barton also played a key role tonight with eight rebounds despite a considerable height disadvantage,” said Florence.
Another key in the Green Wave win was turning the ball over five second half turnovers after nine in the first half according to Florence.
Along with aforementioned eight boards, Barton and Ryan Gibson contributed with 10 points each. Curt Dungan added five while Ripkin Mitchell registered three points.
The Green Wave connected on 12-of-31 three pointers on the night and did not make a trip to the free-throw line.
North Delta led 21-15 after one quarter of play only to have Lee take a 39-34 advantage at intermission. The Colts led 58-52, but was held to two points in the final 5:37 of the game as the Wave reeled off five straight points to close the deficit to 58-57 with 2:10 left.
Varsity Girls
ND 62, Lee 33
North Delta improved to 3-0 in district play and 12-6 overall by disposing of the Phillies despite shooting only 35 percent from the floor.
Ally Alford paced the Lady Wave with 23 points including 13 in the first half. Faith Bollinger followed with 10 points Shelby Grace Boone and Hannah Bollinger provided seven points as North Delta prepared for a showdown with district unbeaten Bayou last night in Cleveland.
Breck Brewer and Sayle Stennett chipped in with four while Isabella Morrow registered three points. Eliza Morris and Sydney Talley rounded out the scoring column with two points each.
Junior High
Both teams split the junior high games with the Lee boys coming away with a 56-31 win while the North Delta Lady Wave earning a 33-18 victory.
Layton Wells paced North Delta in defeat with 12 points while Martin Wolfe supplied six. Grayson Alford and Nolan Long garnering four each. Ridge Aldison and Matt Johnson finished with two points. Braden Archey added one point.
Brewer led the way for the junior high Lady Wave with 14 points. Paizlee Woods contributed with six, Libby Miller five points, Sophie Williams three points, Boone two points, Sadie and Ellie Gray added one point each.
North Delta travels to Magnolia Heights today for four games beginning at 4 p.m