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END OF THE LINE — A 45-38 loss to NRHEG in the sub-section meant the end of the season for the Waseca High School girls’ basketball team. Kloe Wadd blocks a shot.

Season comes to an end for WHS girls’ basketball

The Waseca High School girls' basketball team, seeded second in the sub-section playoffs, had its season come to an end Thursday March 2, in Mankato, falling to No. 3 seed NRHEG 45-38.
“We played really hard,” 11th-year head coach Joan Conway said after the game. “That’s what we do… We just fell short tonight.”
Thursday’s game, a see-saw battle, saw 10 lead changes, no converted free throws from Waseca and more than 20 Bluejay turnovers. 
Senior Sam Azure broke the ice with a three-pointer two minutes into play as the Jays jumped out to an early 9-4 lead with additional baskets from seniors Avery Madsen and Kloe Wadd. The Panthers, as they did all night, quickly responded with a three-pointer from senior Sidney Schultz, who led all scorers with 23 points. 
The teams battled all the way through to intermission with a Wadd basket at the minute mark evening the teams at 21-21. Combining for all of Waseca’s first-half points were Azure, Wadd, and Madsen. 
Senior Megan Kanewischer scored the first points of the second half. 
A turning point came when Azure registered her fourth foul with 12 minutes remaining and was forced to sit. Without her, the girls looked outmatched, aside from Wadd, who gave the Jays their final leads of the night. Baskets from Wadd put the Jays ahead with 11 minutes to play and again, 31-30 with 8 minutes to play. 
However, it was too much to handle. Back-to back-three pointers by Quinn VanMaldeghem and Schultz put the Panthers ahead, ultimately for good. 
When Azure reentered, the girls scrapped back to a 39-38 deficit on her three-pointer with four minutes remaining. It was the final points of the night for the Jays, and for Azure’s career. The Panthers made the free throws, putting the game on ice as the Jays couldn’t find the net bottom of the net.
Wadd led all Bluejays in scoring with 16, followed by Azure 11; Madsen 5, Kanewischer 4, and Addison Wieseler 2. 
“This group has done a lot of great things,” Coach Conway expressed. “Hopefully, they’ll look back and feel really good about it overall after they get through this thing.” 
Playing their final games were seniors Azure, Kanewischer, Ella Dufault, Madsen and Wadd. 
“It means a lot (to be a Bluejay),” Wadd said after the game. “I've played with amazing players. I've played with amazing teammates. I've had amazing coaches, and I've had an amazing experience. Bluejays are about community. And our community showed up tonight and has always shown up for us. And I’ll miss that.
“These final moments were unbelievable,” Wadd choked through the tears. “I didn't wanna realize it at first, but when I did, I look back on all the memories that I had, and I don't regret anything that we did, and I’m really thankful for everything that we got to do.”
Coach Conway was asked what she said to the long-tenured, core group of seniors which included four starters. “I told them I loved them.” Conway said, also smiling through tears. 
The Bluejays finished the year with a 16-10 record. Conway was assisted by coaches Matt Potter, Aaron Kanewischer and Taylor Phelps. Student managers were Sophie Chawra, Sarah Robbins, and Jayme Sandbeck. 

 

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