WAVERLY TOPS S-VE, 52-40

By: Tim Birney | Waverly Athletics | January 29, 2022 | Photo courtesy Tim Taylor

SPENCER — Waverly took the lead early, fended off a second-quarter rally, and pulled away in the second half for a 52-40 win over S-VE here Saturday afternoon in IAC girls basketball action.

Junior Kennedy Westbrook knocked down a 3-pointer and converted an old-fashioned three-point play to help Waverly to a 13-6 lead after the first eight minutes.

Rhianna Lawrence canned a pair of 3-pointers and Hannah Martinez added five points for S-VE in a 16-12 run in the second quarter that trimmed the Waverly lead to 25-22 at the half.

Sophomore Peyton Shaw scored four points, and senior Olivia Shaw drained a 3-pointer to help Waverly to a 14-10 advantage in the third quarter, pushing the lead back to seven points, a 39-32, entering the final eight minutes.

Senior Lourden Benjamin connected on a 3-pointers and made a pair of free throws in the fourth quarter as Waverly knocked down 6 of 8 from the charity stripe to seal the win.

Benjamin had 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Shaw had 10 points to lead the Lady Wolverines, while Kennedy Westbrook had nine points, including two 3-pointers, Nittinger and sophomore Paige Robinson each had eight points, and freshman Addison Westbrook had five points.

Martinez led S-VE with a game-high 16 points, while Abby Bunce scored 10 points, Lawrence added nine on three 3-pointers, and Sophia Dutra chipped in with five.

Waverly, now 10-4, returns to action Tuesday at Notre Dame.