The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Emily Klossing
The regular season for girls basketball at West Central High School is nearing its end, but the girls aren't slowing down. This last week, the varsity team has played some of their best games to date. On January 21st, the Heat traveled to Abingdon to battle the #1 state ranked team in class 1A. West Central played well against A-Town the entire game, but simply ran out of gas in the end. The Tornadoes led by only 9 and 14 points at the end of the first two quarters due to the Heat hustling on defense, but pulled away in the second half with the final score being 71-35. Addie Seitz led in scoring that night with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. Harlee Hainds had 10 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Grace Seitz scored 3 points, with 1 rebound, and 1 steal. Hailey Manes contributed a 3 point shot. Addy Burrell, Lainey Klossing, and Lauren Witners each contributed 2 points. Addy also grabbed 2 rebounds. Lainey had 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Lauren had 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Lia Klossing grabbed 4 rebounds.
Back on the road in Oneida, the Heat picked up a conference win against ROWVA-Williamsfield 57-49. Harlee Hainds scored an impressive 27 points that night and hustled her way to 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, and 3 deflections. Addie Seits knocked down 13 points, and picked up 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Lauren Winters chipped in 7 points and 4 rebounds. Addy Burrell added 5 points and 1 assist. Lia Klossing also had 5 points, as well as 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 5 deflections. Lainey Klossing picked up 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 3 steals.
To round out the week, West Central hosted Brimfield at the Fire Pit Saturday afternoon for the first annual Alumni Basketball event. The Heat came out fired up and put on a show for their fans against a solid Lady Indian team jumping to an early lead of 15-8 at the end of one quarter of play. They maintained that lead well into the fourth quarter when Brimfield finally rallied back tying the score at 48 points taking the game into overtime. With 4 Heat players fouling out of the game, the underclassmen stepped in and kept battling, but the Heat ultimately fell short in the final minutes. At the end of overtime, the score was 57-53 in favor of the Indians. Harlee Hainds made history as her 24 points earned her a spot in the 1000 Point Club! She also busted out 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 steals, and 3 deflections. Addie Seitz also scored 24 points, her season high, as well as 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 5 steals, and 7 deflections. Alivia Price contributed a much needed 2 points and 1 rebound late in the game. Lia Klossing, Addy Burrell, and Lainey Klossing each added 1 point from the free throw line. Lia also grabbed 4 rebounds and 1 assist, while Lainey picked up 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.
West Central has 3 regular season games left on the schedule, including their final home game Thursday, February 6th vs. West Hancock. On Saturday, February 8th, the team will travel to the Lincoln Trail Conference tournament hosted this year by Kewanee Wethersfield, followed by regional play beginning on February 15th.