Combined 24 From Morneweck and Han Not Enough In Overtime Loss to Wakefield

It’s been a frustrating season at times for the Burlington High School girls’ basketball team, and the frustation continued on Friday night as they couldn't close out their road contest against the Lady Warriors of Wakefield, losing 44-40 in overtime.

Things stayed fairly close throughout the early proceedings as both teams had trouble finishing their opportunities, but the Lady Red Devils appeared as though they might pull away after gaining an 8 point lead by the half.

However, the Lady Warriors were able to keep the entire Burlington roster scoreless in the third outside of senior Kaitlyn Morneweck, and the two teams went into the final quarter tied at 29.

Continuing problems finishing opportunities created a game that was within both teams’ reach, but a late two-pointer from Burlington guard Emily Han with 90 seconds left that gave the Lady Red Devils back the lead seemed like it would be enough, but Wakefield captain Alyssa Chankour tied things back up from the foul line 26 seconds later to send the game into overtime.

While Wakefield junior Ashley Carney’s traveling violation with 10 seconds left in regulation denied the Lady Warriors a chance to end the game in 32 minutes, her three conversions from the foul line proved to be the pivotal factor in the overtime frame along with a key three-pointer from freshman guard Kristie McNall.

“It was their senior night, and they just had more energy than we did. They wanted it in their last home game, and they just outplayed the rest of us,” said Burlington head coach Pam Copolla. “I think we should have pulled it out against them, that was pretty obvious, but their energy was more than we could handle, but I had girls that hadn’t played in five or six games, and we couldn’t keep up in terms of stamina.”

For Wakefield head coach Meghan O’Connell, the fact that her girls came back to beat a team that beat them earlier in the season didn’t compare to the significance of winning on senior night.

“It’s great to get a win, it’s exciting to get a win in overtime, and it’s even more satisfying to get a win on senior night for the seniors,” said O’Connell. “They’ve worked tremendously hard all year, so I’m happy they can say they went out in their final home game with such a great overtime win.”

Carney led all scorers with 19 points, while also contributing 9 rebounds and 5 steals for the Lady Warriors, as Han and Morneweck led the way for the Lady Red Devils with 12 a piece.

Wakefield will finish their season with contests against Reading and Melrose on the road next week while Burlington will travel to Winchester on Tuesday before finishing their season at home against Lexington late next week.