Lady Wolves win regular season title

Warm Springs girls basketball team defeated Romney Middle School 38-30 on Friday, February 9, to finish the regular season with a 14-3 record, lifting them to first place in the Mountain State Athletic Conference.

The win gave the Wolves home court advantage throughout the league playoffs which began on Monday, February 12. If Warm Springs defeated Shepherdstown on Monday, they will play either Musselman or Romney for the league title tonight, February 14, at Warm Springs Middle School. In case of inclement weather, the game will be played on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather.

The week didn't start off too well for the Lady Wolves, losing 43-41 to North Middle School on Thursday, February 8, in Martinsburg. But, Warm Springs did not go down without a fight. Trailing 26-12 at the half, the Wolves outscored North 20-10 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 36-32, before coming up just two points short at the end.

"I am really proud of the girls," said Warm Springs coach Jeff Derby. "They got down early and showed a lot of courage fighting their way back into the game. They did not give up, which says a lot about their character."

Diedra Burch scored 12 points to lead the Wolves in scoring. Both Harlie Stotler and Michelle Williams added 11 points each, McKenzie Ambrose five points, while Chelsea Hessler and Brooke Hutchinson scored two points apiece.

With the loss, the Lady Wolves needed the win over Romney, a team which defeated Warm Springs earlier in the year, in order to insure home court advantage throughout the playoffs. And, they delivered with the eight-point victory.

The Wolves bolted out to a 13-3 lead after the opening quarter of play, but saw the Pioneers cut the margin to six points, 20-14 at the half.

Romney cut the gap to three points, 27-24, at the end of the third quarter, but the Wolves maintained their composure and pulled away for the 38-30 win.

Burch scored 20 points, Chelsea Hessler and Williams six each, Ambrose four and Stotler two for Warm Springs.

"Despite Romney cutting into our 14-point lead we were able to keep our composure and pull out the victory," said a delighted Derby. "The hard work and dedication these girls have put in paid off. I want to let them know that I am proud of each and every one of them (JV and varsity). This has been a fun year."