The Wayne County High School basketball season came to an end on Friday as the Lady Cats’ quest for a third gold ball was unsuccessful. They were eliminated by Pickett County, 59 – 54, in the semi-final round of action. The Wildcats fell to Santa Fe, 62 – 59, on Monday night in sectional action. The ‘Cats finish at 25 – 8 on the year and will return all but one team member next year. The Lady Cats boast a Final Four run and end with a 31 – 4 record. They will graduate three key players.
Stats from the Lady Cat Sectional game are as follows: Emma Bryant – 13 points, a rebound, and an assist; Jac Keaton – 12 points, 7 rebounds, a block, 4 steals, and an assist; Ava Ashley – 12 points, 4 rebounds and a block; Blair Baugus – 9 points, 6 rebounds, a block, a steal, and 2 assists; Kenzie Griggs – 8 points, 3 boards, 2 steals, and an assist; Lou Prater – a steal and an assist; Isabel Luedeke – a rebound and an assist.
The Wildcats opened their Sectional game against Santa Fe with a three-pointer by Cayman Camfield. The teams played to a 16 all tie at the end of one quarter. The ‘Cats took a 32 – 28 lead at the half. Santa Fe came out firing in the third and tied the game at 39 all at the 1:39 mark of the third. Seconds later, Santa Fe went up 41 – 39. A Cayman Camfield three, with 4:41 left, tied the contest at 52 all. Santa Fe hit their free throws down the stretch to eliminate the ‘Cats, 62 – 59.
Cayman Camfield finished his sophomore campaign with a 38 point performance. He had four rebounds, a block, and 2 assists. He hit 5 three-pointers and was 9 of 10 from the foul line. Sayler Skelton scored 10 points and had 6 rebounds and a block. Justice Bell had 8 points with 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 assists. Logan Davis had 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists. Case Butler had 6 rebounds, a block, and a steal, and Will Robertson had a rebound.
The Lady Cats opened their State Tournament appearance on Wednesday, taking on South Fulton. The Lady Red Devils saw the Lady Cats push out to a 12-point lead, but South Fulton cut the margin down to 7 by halftime. Kenzie Griggs opened the second half with a pair of baskets in a 6 – 0 run to lead 40 – 27. The Lady Cats outscored the Lady Red Devils, 27 – 13, in the second half to take the 61 – 40 win.
Blair Baugus had 24 points, 15 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 3 assists to lead the Lady Cats. Jac Keaton added 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals, and an assist. Emma Bryant scored 8 points and had 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 assists. Kenzie Griggs hit for 7 points with 2 steals and 3 assists. Ava Ashley scored 6 points with 4 boards and 2 assists. Isabel Luedeke scored 4 points and had 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal, and Lou Prater had 1 point with a rebound, a block, and 2 assists. Mary Grace Littleton had a rebound. The Lady Cats shot 57% from the field and won on the boards, 31 – 21, to advance to the semi-finals.
The Lady Cats got off to a great start on Friday against Pickett County. Emma Bryant nailed a three to open the game. Pickett turned the ball over, and Jac Keaton went for the lay-up. Another turnover and Blair Baugus cashed in on a three-point play on the offensive put-back and foul. A steal by Jac Keaton and a 3-pointer by Ava Ashley made the score 11 – 0. The Lady Cats went on to take a 15 – 2 advantage. Pickett County got on track and made it a 23 – 18 game at the end of the first quarter. The teams played even until halftime with the Lady Cats leading 37 – 31. In the third, with 34 seconds left, Pickett County tied the game at 45 all. A Blair Baugus lay-up with 17 seconds left gave the Lady Cats the 47 – 45 lead after 3 quarters. Four key turnovers in the final quarter and shooting woes ended the Lady Cats’ quest for a place in the finals.
Blair Baugus hit for 16 points and had 6 rebounds, a block and 2 assists. Jac Keaton scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists. Ava Ashley hit for 10 points with 2 boards, a block, and an assist. Emma Bryant and Kenzie Griggs each scored 5 points. Bryant had an assist, while Griggs had a rebound, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Lou Prater scored 4 points, and Isabel Luedeke had 2 points with 2 boards. The Lady Cats were out rebounded and missed 7 crucial free throws.
2023 – 2024 basketball ended for WCHS with two very successful seasons. The teams will work hard to “THRIVE IN ’25!”
WORK HARD WILDCATS AND LADY CATS!—Submitted by Susan Gallian
