by Tom Chillemi
The Middlesex High varsity girls basketball team split a pair of non-district games in recent action, defeating Essex but losing to Lancaster.
Middlesex 51, Essex 32
On Monday, December 9, the Lady Chargers (2-1) traveled to Essex and came away with a hard-fought 51-32 victory. “The final score is not indicative of the war that occurred between the two teams in this contest,” said Middlesex coach Neil Wake.
Essex trailed but stayed within 7 to 10 points until the last five minutes of the game.
The Lady Chargers constantly pressed while the Lady Trojans tried to stay within striking distance. The Lady Trojans made a few errors down the stretch and the Lady Chargers capitalized giving them breathing room and leading to the final 19-point margin.
Lancaster 47, Middlesex 34
On December 5, a “non energetic” start at Lancaster led to the Lady Chargers’ first loss of the season, 47-34, giving them a record of 2-1.
The Lady Red Devils jumped all over the Lady Chargers en route to a 33-6 halftime lead. The Lady Chargers turned the ball over 27 times and could get nothing going in the first half of play.
Middlesex regrouped at the half and outscored Lancaster 28-14 in the second half but ran out of time before the comeback was complete. “We have to learn to play four quarters and trust each other to do our job,” said Middlesex coach Neil Wake. “That will lead to our success.”
On Tuesday, December 10, the Lady Chargers hosted visiting King William.
The Middlesex girls basketball teams are at Northumberland on Thursday, December 12, and at King and Queen on Tuesday, December 17. Middlesex will host Lancaster on Wednesday, December 18, and will host Mathews on Friday, December 20, in the final game before the holidays. JV games start at 5:30 p.m. and are followed by varsity games at 7 p.m.
