Before you get too excited, let me remind you that titles are just click bait. The “foundation for a new gym” that I am referring to is the bricks being shot by Midway in the games last night against Wartburg…I mean Central. No, wait…it’s Wartburg, yes? Regardless, the Bulldogs traveled down the mountain to God’s country as heavy underdogs. The Wartburg girls’ team have just 1 win on the regular season and their boys’ team is winless. But both games were much closer than expected due to Midway’s poor shooting percentage. The Lady Wave were 1 of 14 from behind the arc and the Midway boys shooting was equally as bad. With the poor shooting, it’s fair to say it felt as if Midway “escaped” with wins last night.
Despite the offensive struggles, there is one Green Wave that is perfection each home game. Sophomore Samantha Villagonza has quickly become the most anticipated entertainer at Midway home games. Originally from the Philippines, this talented young singer has delighted the crowds by singing the National Anthem prior to the girls’ games. It’s worth the price of admission just to hear her sing.
The Lady Wave (3-2 reg season, 4-3 including hall of fame tourney) were looking to bounce back after their loss at Sunbright. Midway got off to a great start, jumping on the Bulldogs 8-1 within the first few minutes. But the scoring quickly cooled off for the Lady Wave. After scoring 8 points in the first 3 minutes, they managed only 2 more points in the remaining 5 minutes of the quarter and 17 points total for the half as they took a 17-12 lead into the break. Wartburg Lady Bulldogs came out on fire after the half and tied things up 17-17 in the first 90 seconds of the 3rd quarter. But the Lady Wave would go on a 9-0 run in the final 2-mintues of the 3rd quarter to take a 30-20 lead into the 4th. Lady Wave would go on to win 41-30.
Kyleigh Cawood led the scoring with 11 points, followed by Addie Armes with 7 points and 4 blocks. Abbie Parks and Cloa Copeland each had 6 points. Copeland also pulled in 8 rebounds. Kali Kile had 4 points before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Similar to the girls’ game, the Midway boys jumped out to an early lead. 6-0 after 2 minutes of play, it appeared as if Wartburg was greatly overmatched. Scoring slowed after the first few minutes but the Wave still managed to go into the half up 28-17. But then the ball refused to go in for the Wave. Open shots, contested shots, point-blank shots….it didn’t matter. The ball simply would not drop in for the Green Wave.
The Wave somehow managed to remain in the lead at the end of the 3rd, 38-29, but the fourth quarter belonged to Wartburg – specifically Drew Goode. The guard connected on 4 deep shots, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the 4th, all behind the arc. But just when it looked like Wartburg was going to steal the game, key buckets in the final 60 seconds by Evan Lemons, Peyton Steele and Brennan Reed allowed Midway to come away with the 52-50 win.
Reed led the scoring with 22 followed by Steele with 12 and Lemons with 9.
Midway will be at home again Friday as they host Oakdale. The Midway Hall of Fame committee will also introduce the two new members of the Midway Hall of Fame – Isaiah Ruffner and Randall Woody. The community is encouraged to attend the reception in the cafeteria at 5:30pm where you can listen and even partake in the “roast” of these two gentlemen.