Down goes the champs by Adrian curry of ibt report
In a game with plenty of hype and massive league title implications, Watkins memorial traveled to Newark catholic to play the green wave. Both teams come off impressive league wins with Newark catholic clinching the lcl-cardinal on Saturday for the 4th straight year. The warriors needed two wins to clinch a share of the lcl-buckeye for the 2nd straight year. Early on this was a game that featured lots of turnovers by the green wave by Watkins couldn’t take advantage of them. The green wave led early 5-3 with Watkins staying in the game thanks to free throws. The green wave was finally able to get going thanks to making shots including a 3-pointer that led to a 11-4 late first quarter led but the warriors were able to score the last 6 points to trail by 1 at the end of the first quarter. The 2nd quarter was dominated by Watkins as they stormed out to a 7-point lead but the green wave came back in an intense atmosphere and was able to trail only by 2 at the half 25-22. In a back and forth 3rd quarter, which saw many lead changes the warriors were able to hold onto the lead thanks to great defense and timely baskets and led 38-36 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter had so many twists and turns. Both teams has the lead as the momentum changed sides so often as the lead did. The green wave trailed by 3 at 48-45 with 1:30 but went on a 6-2 run to gain the lead with 10 seconds left. Watkins went down and got a basket by alexia gartner to regain the lead but Newark catholic on their final possession had Brooklyn smith hit a game-winning three point shot to stun the warriors and end their lcl title hopes with the 54-52 win. With the win, the green wave improved to 13-1 while watkins dropped to 15-2 and the loss allowed Granville to clinch the outright lcl-buckeye title. Kylie Gibson led all scorers with 20 points while Jenna Lucas led Watkins 14 points and 9 rebounds.