WADENA — A slow start for both teams turned into a close back and forth battle in the last minutes when Verndale took on the Wadena-Deer Creek girls for the second time this season.
A missed shot in the last seconds allowed the Wolverines the 36-33 win.
Leading the Wolverines was Payton and Addyson Gravelle and Montana Carsten with 8 points a piece.
WDC led 14-7 early in the first period but the Pirates found momentum, coming back to reach the half 14-12.
Into the second half, WDC jumped ahead by 10 points until a Verndale timeout. The Pirates fought to make it to the bucket soon after and managed to get the Wolverines into foul trouble. The Pirates capitalized by making good on their free throws.
A three-pointer from the Pirates' Madison Schmitz brought the Pirates to within four points. Reagan Ludovissie followed that with a bucket to reach within two points.
Payton Gravelle used her height down low to grab the ball from the chaos and sink one in the paint. The Wolverines quickly secured the ball again and Madison Packer slipped in another to reach 33-27.
With 33 seconds left Katie Blaha nailed a three-pointer. Following another timeout it was a battle of who could foul best. Both teams did well at the charity stripe, but it sure helped the Wolverines when Montana Carsten knocked down both her shots to give the Wolverines the three-point advantage and the score of 36-33.
The Pirates had one last shot and with the ball in the hands of Pirate sophomore Taylor Johnson, the hometown student section caught her off guard by counting down a few seconds faster than necessary. The missed shot landed in the hands of WDC senior Lauryn Gravelle to end the game.
