The Town-Crier
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SPORTS & RECREATION
February 17 - February 23, 2017
Page 29
Wolverines Edge Lancers 60-57 To Claim District Title
By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report Friday, Feb. 10, marked not just a district title win for the Wellington High School boys basketball team; it was their fourth straight championship. Wellington defeated John I. Leonard High School 60-57 at Seminole Ridge High School, the host venue for the District 9-9A tournament. It eventually came down to the
two top-seeded teams in the final match-up. Wellington came in as the top seed, and the Lancers were the No. 2 seed. Each team scored off its first shot of the game, which indicated the kind of contest the crowd would be in for. The two squads exchanged the lead several times early in the first period of play, but the Wolverines (24-3) gradually pulled away with a nine-point lead in the closing
minute of the first period, 19-10. Wellington carried its momentum into the second period, extending its lead by 13, 23-10, but the Lancers (14-10) continued to push back, cutting the margin to eight. The Wolverines dusted off the results of losing a few rebounds under the boards and clawed into a surge that lifted them to a 39-22 halftime lead. Wellington’s defense allowed just 12 See BASKETBALL, page 31
The 2017 District 9-9A Champion Wellington Wolverines make the number 4 with their hands, indicating their fourth straight district title.
Wellington’s Trent Frazier gets around the Lancer defender.
Wellington’s Anfernee Rosario shields B.B. Williams as he grabs a rebound.
Wellington’s Sage Chen-Young moves toward the board as he gets around a Lancer defender.
Nico Toledo moves the ball up the court for Wellington. PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
Five WHS Athletes Ink Papers To Play College Sports
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report On National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 1, five Wellington High School seniors signed the paperwork sealing their fate for the next stage of their lives as college athletes. Athletics Director Pattie Fitzhugh thanked the theater full of friends and family attending during lunch for coming to support the students as they get ready for their futures. Coach Mark Boretti spoke about
softball player Cynthia Whitty, who will be attending Rollins College. “This young lady is a four-year starter for us,” she said. “Four years, freshman, sophomore, junior and now senior year. Freshman year, district championship game vs. Jupiter High School. The game is tied 1-1, and this freshman at the time gets up and hits a triple over the right fielder’s head to push us to her first district championship at the school.” Whitty was also a huge part to
Cynthia Whitty with coach Mark Boretti and some of her family members and friends.
the school’s success in the years that followed. “Now in her senior year, she’s a captain on the team,” Boretti said. “Hopefully this will be three out of four for Cynthia and the other seniors on the team for district championships. She has been a workhorse for us. She’s fast. She has all the tools. She is also very well-coached when she is not in high school.” Boretti, who was wearing a Rollins shirt at the ceremony, mentioned that his wife and daughter
Esteban Lestido joined by coach Mike Kozlowski, family members and friends.
both attended the school on sports scholarships. “And now, one of my favorites is going there on a softball scholarship,” he said. “She’s a steal. She’s definitely a steal for that school.” Soccer coach Mike Kozlowski spoke of soccer player Esteban Lestido, who will be attending Belmont University. “I had the pleasure to teach Esteban in ninth grade. He loved soccer. Soccer is in his blood. This young man is from Argentina. They love
their soccer,” Kozlowski said. “He is a young man with a lot of promise. He’s one of the best midfielders I’ve ever seen.” Football coach Tom Abel had three students signing: D.J. Dobkins, who will be attending Webber International University; Tyler Jolly, who will be attending Elmhurst College; and Logan Robinson, who will be attending Valparaiso University. “These guys have been part of my program forever; two district chamSee SIGNING DAY, page 30
The recipients beam with pride at the table: (L-R) Logan Robinson, Tyler Jolly, D.J. Dobkins, Esteban Lestido and Cynthia Whitty. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER