Lady Lions mount late 4th quarter comeback, but No. 1 Midlakes hangs on behind big free throws to capture Class B2 Championship with 51-44 victory

Wellsville senior Jaelyn Knapp (13) powers her way up to the basket against the Midlakes defense during Friday night’s Class B2 Finals in Henrietta. [ALL PHOTOS BY STEVE HARRISON/HORNELL SUN]

Wellsville freshman Makenna Dunbar (24) shifts along a pass to the inside while under pressure from the Midlakes defense during Friday night’s Class B2 Finals in Henrietta. [ALL PHOTOS BY STEVE HARRISON/HORNELL SUN]

Wellsville senior Marley Adams, off-center, spars with the Midlakes defense deep in the offensive zone for the loose ball during Friday night’s Class B2 Finals in Henrietta. [ALL PHOTOS BY STEVE HARRISON/HORNELL SUN]

BY JOHN ANDERSON/WELLSVILLE SUN

HENRIETTA — After storming back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to upset Livonia in the Section V girls' basketball semi-finals, the Wellsville Lions were in familiar territory Friday night in the finals.

Trailing No. 1 seed Midlakes by 10 in the fourth, the Lions mounted a comeback, but fell short in the end, 51-41 in the Finals.

The Lady Screaming Eagles, the newly-crowned Class B2 champions will face Class B1 champions Waterloo, the No. 1 team in the State in Class B on Monday in the State Qualifiers.

Seniors Jaylynn Mess and Emily Costello hit 3-pointers to cut the lead to a one possession game, but Midlakes hit 12-of-15 free throws in the final quarter, ultimately allowing themselves to stride their way towards victory.

"That's what we've done all season long, they were balanced and everyone contributed," Wellsville coach Michelle Alvord said of the comeback. "Midlakes was good, they were physical and tough and played good defense. We had a slow start in the first quarter and they made some transition buckets. That and their free throw shooting was the difference.

Costello and freshman Makenna Dunbar led Wellsville (17-5) with 11 points each and both made the Section V all-tournament team.

"Wellsville is very balanced and they never quit, you saw that in the Livonia game when they were down 15," said Midlakes coach Nate Ruch. "That was a great comeback they had against Livonia. They have two great players (Emily Costello and Marley Adams) who can shoot from outside and get in the lane. We had to force them outside. "

The Lady Lions season has come to an end, as they conclude a remarkable 2021-22 campaign with a record of 17-5 overall. The team will graduate all five of their Senior starters when June arrives in a couple of months — Costello, Mess, Marley Adams, Jaelyn Knapp and Kaylee Coleman.

"We gave it everything we had and it was a battle to the end. I told the seniors ... I can't even begin to say what they have done for our program. Everything they have done for this team and program," Alvord said. "I know it hurts right now, but they should be pleased with what they have done for this program for three and four years, and for Marley Adams, five years.

Wellsville 6 10 10 18 – 44

Midlakes 4 15 14 18 – 51

WELLSVILLE: Marley Adams 2 3-4 7, Jaylynn Mess 1 0-0 3, Emily Costello 4 0-0 11, Jaelyn Knapp 3 2-6 8, Kaylee Coleman 2 0-2 4, Makenna Dunbar 4 3-5 11. Totals: 15 8-17 44.
MIDLAKES: Kate Mahoney 5 0-1 10, Camryn Ford 1 0-0 3, Callie Walker 2 6-6 10, Stella DelPapa 1 5-6 7, Grace Murphy 3 4-5 10, Cate Peacock 1 2-2 4. Totals: 16 17-20 51.

3-point goals: Wellsville 4 (Costello 3, Mess), Midlakes 2 (Ford, Murphy).
Total Fouls: Wellsville 19, Midlakes 17. Fouled out: Adams (WLSV).