By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Wheatland’s game plan against an imposing Glasgow squad? Play hectic, cause chaos.
No Mules player exemplified this strategy better than senior Gracie Fatino.
She capped Wheatland’s dramatic fourth-quarter comeback with a pair of steals and baskets in the final 1:30.
Wheatland overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Glasgow 56-50 in Saturday afternoon’s Class 1 3rd place game at Hammons Student Center.
Fatino finished with 15 points, and led the Mules in steals (six) and rebounds (eight) in her final career game.
“We knew we had to make it as hectic as possible, because (Glasgow) was going to slow it down,” said Mules coach Jeremiah Bryan. “If we could make it crazy and out of control, that was going to be our best chance.”
Mules junior Maddie Sutt had a team-high 20 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Aleah Asare scored 13. The Mules outscored Glasgow 21-6 in the fourth quarter.
Fatino had a game-changing sequence in crunch time. With Glasgow ahead 50-49 and burning clock, Fatino got a steal and raced the other way.
Her initial layup attempt was blocked. Fatino grabbed the loose ball, dribbled out and fired a 3-point attempt.
Miss.
Not deterred, she grabbed her own rebound and finally scored on a putback.
“I just knew we needed to score, so that’s what I tried to do,” Fatino said. “It worked.”
After Wheatland got a stop and Sutt made one of two free throws, Glasgow had a chance to tie the game at 52 with under 30 seconds remaining.
Fatino struck again.
She stole the ball and converted a layup on the other end to give the Mules a 54-50 lead with 19 seconds remaining. Glasgow missed a 3-point attempt on its ensuing possession.
“Gracie’s made plays like that before,” Bryan said. “She had a few of those (in the sectional round) against Leeton.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Glasgow was on the verge of putting the game away early in the fourth quarter. Molly Reynolds’ 3-pointer put the Yellowjackets ahead 47-35 with 7:54 remaining.
Reynolds finished with 20 points. She went 6-for-10 on 3-point attempts.
Wheatland’s defensive priority was on Glasgow 6-foot-1 senior Jaden Monnig, who still had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate and 6-footer Abby Littrell added eight points and seven rebounds.
Wheatland played 2-3 zone for much of the game. Late in the second half, with Reynolds heating up from the perimeter, the Mules switched to a box-and-one look.
“We knew they were going to try to feed (the ball) inside, so we had to do our best job of helping down and making them beat us from the outside, which they almost did,” Bryan said. “I felt like if we would’ve guarded them man, instead of scoring 21 points on 3s or whatever they had, they would’ve scored 30 or 40 in the post and beat us. We had to start from the middle and go out.”
After falling behind 47-35 early in the fourth quarter, Wheatland went on a 12-0 run over a 3:30 span. A pair of free throws from Asare tied the game at 47 with 4:32 remaining.
“I knew we were capable of coming back because we’ve done that in a few games this year,” Bryan said. “Our aggressiveness took off and we started hustling, trapping in our press. We caused some chaos.”
Glasgow (22-9 overall) committed 13 turnovers in the game. Wheatland made 10 of 12 free throw attempts.
The Mules (25-6 overall) graduate a five-player senior class.
Wheatland brings back a pair of standouts next season in Sutt and Asare. This year marked Wheatland’s first trip to the final four in girls’ basketball.
“We’re all going to work hard and try to get back here again, because the experience was great,” Asare said.
Added Sutt: “We’re going to try to make (state) a tradition.”
Wheatland hopes the past three seasons – which included district titles in 2016 and 2017 – have laid the foundation for future success.
Bryan is already seeing signs of that.
“Especially with the younger kids. I think they really enjoy this,” Bryan said. “I see a lot more basketballs in their hands around the school. I think, when they get to high school, they want to experience this personally. I think this group is starting a tradition.”
Wheatland 56, Glasgow 50
Glasgow 17 10 17 6 — 50
Wheatland 12 16 7 21 — 56
Glasgow – Molly Reynolds 20, Jaden Monnig 18, Abby Littrell 8, Kristin Stockhorst 3, Madisyn Parks 1
Wheatland – Maddie Sutt 20, Gracie Fatino 15, Aleah Asare 13, McKinsey Bryan 5, Sami Schultz 3
