Wildcats Enter Stretch Run as Playoffs Near

The finish line is near. Several  sports teams hope, however, that the end doesn't come for another few weeks.

There is just about one week remaining in the regular season, and two Wildcat teams know they're playoff bound. A third team hopes to join the mix in its remaining tilts, and all three have the potential to make a run in the MIAA's second season.

Jay Keane's girls basketball team is on the brink of a Middlesex League Small School Division crown thanks to a 15-4 record to date, 7-2 in league play. 

The Lady Wildcats' celebration plans were temporarily put on hold Tuesday when Wakefield snuck away with a 41-40 victory to keep Wilmington from clinching the outright title. 

On Friday, the locals visit last Burlington in their regular season finale. The stakes are the same. Win and they're regular season champs, lose and the worst they can finish is with a share of the crown.

Another team looking to make its first season in the Middlesex League a memorable one is the boys hockey team.

It's been a for head coach Steve Scanlon's skaters, but the team has still put itself in solid shape in the final three games of the year.

Wilmington is 10-3-4 overall, 5-1-2 in the league, which is good for first place for the time being. Wakefield is second with a 4-1-3 league mark, 8-5-5 overall, and to a 10-1-6 mark, 3-1-4 in Middlesex League play.

The Wildcats close out the year with games against those two opponents before finishing the regular season against rival Tewksbury next week. A win against Wakefield on Wednesday night would go a long way in helping the Wildcats secure their crown, while a tie would also be helpful.

It's been a different level of competition compared to previous seasons when the Wildcats beat up on weaker Cape Ann League opponents. Following a grind of a schedule, the team should be prepared for its playoff opener.

One team hoping to join the group of Wildcat playoff qualifiers is Joe Maiella's boys basketball team, which hopes to have saved its best for last.

Regardless of the outcome, it's been an impressive bounce back for the team after losing its first three games of the year and also .

Maiella's charges were thumped by Wakefield, a team they beat earlier in the year, on Wednesday night. With the loss, the Wildcats are 8-10 on the campaign, 5-4 in league play.

Because of that setback, the , Wilmington must defeat Burlington on the road Friday night and then beat visiting Billerica on Tuesday. In that scenario, the Wildcats would qualify for the postseason at 10-10. A loss in either game means the end of the road for Wilmington.

The girls hockey team, , closes out a disappointing year with a trio of games as they hope to climb out of the Middlesex League basement.

Wilmington plays at Wakefield on Wednesday, at home against Burlington on Saturday and on the road against Stoneham on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The Lady Wildcats are 2-14 overall, 0-5 in their first season in the Middlesex League.

As always, check back with Wilmington patch throughout the week for complete coverage of Wildcats athletics.