Maya McFadden Photo
Wilbur Cross' 2023-24 basketball team.
After a season of growth, resilience, and bonding the Lady Governors said goodbye not just to the basketball season but to three of their beloved Class of 2024 seniors.
The Wilbur Cross girls varsity basketball team played their final game Monday night against Cheshire High School while also celebrating senior night for the student athletes.
The Cross team bid farewell to seniors KaNai Goodwin-Kellman, who attends Metropolitan Business Academy; and Kiara Cabassa and Leilanie Pugh, who both attend Cross.
The neck-and-neck game resulted in the Governors’ 17th and final loss this season of 18 total games.
Seniors receive their flowers during senior night.
During Monday’s final game Cross kept the lead for the majority of the game, though Cheshire stayed close behind. When Cross scored, Cheshire often followed up with a basket soon after.
Goodwin-Kellman put the first points of the game on the board for Cross with a rebound after her teammate missed a layup. A minute later Pugh put up a layup bringing the score to 4 – 3.
Cheshire briefly took the lead but the Lady Governors didn’t let that last long as Cabassa sunk a mid-range shot. With two minutes left junior Sirraya Pratt closed the slight gap further with a three pointer bringing it to a one point difference, 10 – 9, with Cheshire up.
In the final 25 seconds of the first quarter Pratt put up another three pointer tying the score at 12 – 12 going into the second quarter.
Twenty seconds into the second quarter freshmen Harmoni Thomas extended Cross’ lead to 14 – 12.
At the five-minute mark the teams had tied again at 14 – 14.
A free throw and floater later Cross took back the lead with three minutes of the first half remaining, bringing it to 19 – 14.
The game went into half time 19 – 18.
Cross’ dance team and Crimson Thunder Drumline performed for the large audience, made up mostly of Cross supporters.
During the third quarter Pratt drove to the basket with a layup, bringing the score to 21 – 18 at a minute in. Seconds later Cheshire took the lead but Pratt didn’t let their lead last for long by sinking a three pointer from the left corner of the top of the court.
The score was then again tied 24 – 24 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Pugh passed Pratt the ball at four minutes and 47 seconds, and Pratt again succeed with another three-pointer. Cross was up 30 – 29 with three minutes left until Cheshire took the lead with a minute left. Just before the third-quarter buzzer rang, Goodwin-Kellman brought the score to 38 – 32, with Cheshire up, with a mid-range shot.
Cross kept up with a pass from Cabassa to Thomas who put up a floater to make it so Cross was only four points down.
In the final seven minutes Pratt scored a three pointer, bringing the score to 38 – 37 with Cheshire up. The Cross crowd roared from the stands, chanting “DEFENSE!”
Pugh passed to junior Bella Gomez Stafford, who reached from underneath the net to roll the ball right into the net off her fingertips, bringing the score to 40 – 39.
Though only one point away, that was the last shot Cross secured for the rest of the game. The final win went to Cheshire with a final score of 51 – 39.
Harmoni Thomas keeps the score close.
Head coach Deborah McClease described the season as one that brought the players out of their shells. The young team had a lot to learn throughout the season individually and as a team.
“Now we will take what we made here and start next season with our returners,” she said. She emphasized that most importantly the Cross team got better over the season “no matter what the record says” and showed off their strong characters.
“I’m proud of them. They were there for each other all the way through, and that’s what makes a great season,” she said.
After Monday’s game the team celebrated with photos, food, hugs, and a few happy tears.
“This season was a good season because we got to know each other,” Jackie Fulton said.
The team reminisced on inside jokes, fun on the bus, and locker room motivation from the parting seniors.
Junior Malaysia Lavonna Haynes gave thanks to the seniors for teaching her how to have a composed temper on the court.
Pugh described her departure after four years with Cross “bittersweet” but looks forward to playing college ball.
“I love this team. I’m gonna miss my team,” Pugh said.
Leilanie Pugh during Monday tipoff.
