SYRACUSE – Playing its sixth game in 14 days, Wawasee showed some tired legs and got off to a slow start before holding off Concord 41-31 Thursday in Northern Lakes Conference girls basketball action at the Hardwood Teepee. The Lady Warriors will take a 10-12 overall mark into the postseason and finished 4-3 in NLC play. The Lady Minutemen finished the regular season at 4-18 and 0-7. “My girls have heart and fight,” Wawasee coach Matt Carpenter said. “It hasn’t been easy all year long. We’ve grinded out wins against some good teams and against some teams we feel we’re better than. “We’re not a team that puts somebody away.” After trailing 5-1 and 16-7 in the first half, the Lady Warriors were up 32-23 in the fourth quarter and then withstood an 8-2 Concord run, making seven of eight foul shots down the stretch for the win. “We calmed down in the second half,” Carpenter said. “We were able to execute. We were in the flow offensively a little bit more and we able to take it one possession at a time.” The last five games, Wawasee has only had one day of prep for its opponent. “That takes a toll on you as a team,” Carpenter said. “The girls have been able to be mentally sharp for the most part and physically try to do what they can to keep their legs fresh. Having three days (before Tuesday’s Class 3A West Noble Sectional game against NorthWood) is going to seem like a little bit of a luxury. But we want to keep the momentum building.” Wawasee recognized its five seniors – Aubrey Schmeltz, Seaquinn Bright, Madison Beaman, Hannah Haines and Kayla White – before the game and those were the starters. “Those girls deserved it,” Carpenter said. “They’ve put in the time and effort. Even though that might not have been our regular starting rotation, I’m proud of those girls.” Schmeltz and junior Hannah-Marie Lamle scored 11 points each and junior Aubrey Kuhn tallied nine for Wawasee. Pacing Concord with 11 points was sophomore Chandyn Redmond. Sophomore Alexa Porter pulled down a game-best 10 rebounds to go with seven points. The Lady Minutemen meet Northridge in the Class 4A Goshen Sectional Wednesday.
