Greencastle-Antrim races past Waynesboro, 49-21

 

By Lee Goodwin

 

WAYNESBORO — The Waynesboro Maidens and Greencastle-Antrim faced similar circumstances in the 2017-18 season after each team lost a lot of talented players to graduation and the clock restarted mercilessly in November.

 

It was sink or swim, because opponents don’t particularly care about the other teams’ limitations and inexperience.

 

We’re closing in on the end of the regular season, and the Blue Devils (8-11) have made considerable progress with a young team. The Maidens (0-19) have had a more difficult path to competitiveness after having to replace five starters.

 

The progression showed itself Friday evening, especially in the second half as G-A rolled to a 49-21 victory for its eighth win of the season. Waynesboro is still in search of its first win, and they have three more opportunities, with games against Big Spring, Carlisle and Steel-High next week.

 

“We’re trying to find kids who want to play basketball, and given our inexperience, let them have fun while learning the ins and outs of the game,” said G-A head coach Mike Rhine. “I’m pleased with what they give.”

 

Rhine said his team has had some trouble making shots this season, but not yesterday, as 10 different players scored for the Blue Devils. Lydia Crist, one of the anchors and leaders of the team (Rhine also mentioned Madison Sweitzer as a team leader), led all scorers with 21 points. She spread out her scoring pretty evenly, scoring 10 points in the first half and 11 in the second half.

 

The game was for the most part, competitive until the second half. G-A sprinted out to an 11-0 lead, but Waynesboro chiseled away to get to 14-8 early in the second period. Bailey Dockman sparked the Maidens with some good dribbling and driving, setting herself up for good shots while scoring five of Waynesboro’s first seven points.

 

Abby Sheasley added two field goals, but the Maidens still trailed 18-11 because the Blue Devils were executing their offense more effectively and giving themselves high percentage shots that they were making.

 

G-A led 20-11 at the half and seized the momentum by going on a 7-0 run before Taylor Clawson sank a three-pointer.

 

Waynesboro just couldn’t string together scoring possessions, and its defense was unable to contain the Blue Devils’ offense. G-A slithered and sliced its way into the lane numerous times, resulting in lay-up opportunities and trips to the foul line.

 

However, the big reason the Blue Devils frustrated the Maidens was Crist, who passed and shot the ball like a veteran. She was dropping shots from mid-range and inside, and even had a three-pointer for the first points of the game. She connected after a McKenna Rakaczewski free throw to make it 28-14.

 

Ashley True, Kristen True and Ashley Noblit took turns scoring, and Crist knocked down back-to-back shots to give G-A an insurmountable 38-16 lead early in the fourth quarter.

 

“Turnovers and missed shots again,” lamented Waynesboro head coach Allison Steiger. “They don’t know when to drive and when to pass. They drive to the post but can’t finish with points. We’re frustrated missing shots, and it seems to affect our defense.”

 

Clawson and Dockman each had five points for Waynesboro.

 

Rakaczewski had a team-high eight rebounds, while Sweitzer pulled down seven rebounds. Crist had three assists and five steals.

 

Next up for Waynesboro is a road game against Big Spring at Newville on Tuesday. G-A travels to York County to play Spring Grove on Monday.