By Ben Destefan

 

 

GREENCASTLE - The star seniors fittingly led the way on a night dedicated to them.

 

Morgan Wagaman scored a career-high 20 points while Jenay Faulkner posted a triple-double to lead Greencastle-Antrim to a 51-32 girls' basketball victory over Spring Grove Monday evening.

 

Recognized before tip-off alongside Lauren Cole and Annaston Cree, the Wagaman/Faulkner tandem sparked the Blue Devils (18-3) late in the first half prior to headlining G-A's effort during the final 16 minutes.

 

Leading just 17-13 at the break, Wagaman netted nine of her 20 points in the Blue Devils' decisive third quarter, which ultimately produced a 36-22 advantage entering the fourth.

 

Showcasing her tremendous all-around talent, Faulkner's night featured 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, frequently launching long outlet passes to Wagaman for easy finishes on the other end.

 

"We started slow, but once we hit a couple shots, it turned into a fun night for the seniors," G-A head coach Mike Rhine said.

 

"Morgan and Jenay did their thing and then Lydia (Crist) made a few big 3's toward the end. We had a lot of success in transition, which is how we want to play."

 

Crist knocked down consecutive 3-balls early in the fourth to slam the door, extending the Blue Devils' cushion to 45-26 with less than six minutes remaining.

 

Struggling to score for much of the first half, things began clicking with back-to-back buckets by Wagaman late in the second quarter. Faulkner added one of her patented step-back 3's to beat the buzzer, setting the stage for the closing two frames.

After Spring Grove cut its deficit to 22-21 in the opening stages of the third, G-A seized control with a 14-0 run to establish a comfortable advantage. The stretch included a pair a lay-ins from Jordan Yeager, the second of which made it a 15-point margin.

 

"We're getting contributions from several different girls, which is what we need at this time of the year," Rhine said. "We just want to be playing our best basketball going into districts."

 

Ashley Noblit grabbed seven rebounds in the victory.

 

Brooklyn Naylor led Spring Grove with a team-high 12 points.

 

The Blue Devils wrap up their regular-season schedule Tuesday night at home against Susquehanna Township. Prior to Monday's outcome, G-A was seventh in the District 3 Class 5A power rankings, positioned to host a first-round playoff game as a top-eight seed.