Wildcats One Win From Playoffs After Blowout

Jay Keane's Wilmington girls basketball team aced chemistry this year. And Wildcats' reward for their high marks will soon be a trip to the postseason.

The locals are just one win from clinching a playoff berth thanks to a 48-28 thumping of visiting Burlington on Friday night. Wilmington allowed just six points in the first half and never looked back during the blowout.

As she has throughout the campaign, Emily Crannell led all scorers with 21 markers. She was followed by Jen Stewart who had six points of her own and played well on the glass. In total, 10 Willmington players found the scorebook.

With the win, Keane's charges are now 9-3 on the year, 4-1 in Middlesex League Small School Division play. That mark is good for first place in the league, tied with Melrose.

"As a coach (chemistry) is one of the things you can't teach," said Keane. "The girls all get along real well, they like playing with each other and no one really cares who gets the credit. They just want to win basketball games. So far they've done a really good job of that."

The team has been to the postseason each year under Keane's guidance, but the mentor said his players have their eyes set on a bigger goal this year. His players are hoping to keep the wins coming so they can snag a home playoff game.

"It's certainly a team effort, and that's why we've been successful," said Keane.