Ware Academy Girls' Basketball Team Repeat as Champions

On Friday, February 19th, the Ware Academy Girls Varsity Basketball team found themselves in a familiar spot--the finals of the I.S.A.C. Tournament championship game. 

The Waves made their sixth straight appearance and came poised to claim their fifth championship in six years.  Ware was matched up against the Lady Seahawks of St. Claire Walker, who were making their first appearance in the I.S.A.C. Tournament. The Waves took the court as the defending champs with tremendous focus and determination to repeat last year’s performance. 

The team wasted no time setting the tone as Caroline Henderson tipped the opening jump ball to Kelly Nelson who passed the ball ahead to Madison Thomas who laid it in for the game’s first score; after that the Waves never looked back. 

Thomas and Henderson led the Waves in a dominating first quarter performance as they combined for 14 of Ware’s 15 points, and the Waves led 15–3 at the quarter break. Kelly Nelson, Kedron Walsh and Emily Brown consistently pressured the Lady Seahawks on the defensive side of the court, forcing turnovers which resulted in transition baskets. Nelson finished with a game and season high of 12 steals, while Brown and Walsh each had five and four respectively. 

The Ware full-court pressure continued to give St. Claire Walker problems and the Waves held the Lady Seahawks to just one first-half basket as they built an impressive 23–4 halftime lead.

All season the Waves played together as a team and this game was no exception. Jacqueline Stewart, Macon Swartzwelder and Caitlin Blankenship provided outstanding contributions with their play off the bench. Ware had ten players who scored and nine players who had at least one assist, which is proof of their team play. Madison Thomas was lead scorer with 13 points, three steals and two assists; followed by Caroline Henderson who posted a 'double–double'' scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Kedron Walsh, Emily Brown and Jacqueline Stewart each added four points; while Kelly Nelson, Lilly Turner and Jess Haley had two points; and Macon Swartzwelder and Robyn Barrack with one point each rounded out the scoring. The Waves finished their season with 12 wins and one loss.

“These young ladies continue to impress me at every practice and game with their focus, competitive drive and determination. They were fun to watch. I can’t say enough about our eighth graders. They work extremely well together in order to reach their goals. I have been fortunate to have coached them and it has been an absolute pleasure; they will be missed," said Coach Morgan.