The Wayne Lady Pioneers saw their season end in the Class AAA semifinals in a 53-43 loss to the Nitro Wildcats on Thursday at the Charleston Civic Center.
Nitro came out firing early, taking a 7-0 lead and holding 21-7 lead after the first quarter. The Wildcats shot a blistering 89% from the field in the opening quarter. The Lady Pioneers battled back, scoring the first seven points of the second quarter. Nitro would maintain its lead at 28-21 heading into the locker room at the intermission.
After closing the gap to a single point twice, Wayne would see Nitro stretch the lead back out to seven points after the third period, 40-33. The Lady Pioneers stayed within one or two possessions in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Pioneers could never get over the hump.
“It just seemed like we got out to a slow start and were playing catch up the entire game,” said Wayne head coach Wade Williamson. “We just could never make a play and get over the hump. It’s just one of those things. We came in here the other day and shot the ball really well, but we just didn’t shoot very well today. At this level, that’s something you can’t afford to do.”
Jayce Sammons led the Lady Pioneers with 16 points. Addie Adkins followed with 9 points. Brooke Adkins, Mikayla Stacy and Laneigh Brooks each scored 6 points. Brooke Adkins also grabbed 9 rebounds.
Natalie Smith led Nitro with 15 points and 10 boards. Brooklyn Crawley followed with 11 points in the win.
It was an incredible season for the Lady Pioneers as they finished with a 23-2 record. They also captured the heart of the community as Wayne faithful filled the Charleston Civic Center.
“Our community is a family,” stated Wayne’s Addie Adkins. “We don’t leave each other. We stay together through everything. I know they have our back right now. They love us, and they support us. That’s what Wayne is. We’re all part of Wayne, and we’ll all stay together. That won’t ever change.”
