2013-2014 District 9-4A Accolades / WESPY Award Winners

Attached is the District 9-4A selections for the 2013-2014 basketball season. Congratulations to the following Wolverines who earned the following accolades. In addition, the following Wolverines won team awards at Wakeland's 8th Annual ESPY's sports awards ceremony on Sunday, May 18th.

Sean Watkins - Sr. - 1st Team / MVP at WESPY'S

Jimmy Wilkins - Jr. - 2nd Team / Offensive Player of Year at WESPY's

Anthony Grayson - Jr. - All Defensive Team / Defensive Player of Year at WESPY's

Jordan Harris - Sr. - Honorable Mention / Defensive Player of Year at WESPY's

Michael Sullivan - Jr. - Honorable Mention

Isaac Burt - Sr. and Noah Westerfield - Sr. / Wolverine Award at WESPY's

Sean Antonelli - Sr. / Academic Award at WESPY's

Wolverines end season with loss at Heritage

Your Wakeland Wolverines ended district play and their season this past Tuesday night with a loss to the Coyotes of Heritage by a score of 77 to 62. The District Champions proved to be too much for the Wolverines down the stretch as Wakeland couldn't keep up with their fast offensive tempo. Wakeland was able to play even with Heritage for most of the game, but the shots started to rim and out when their legs got tired and they ran out of gas. However, the Wolverines did make a career high, twelve "3's" during the duration of the game, which was the first time in school history. Head JV Coach Blake Reedy summed up the season perfectly when he addressed the FCC, "it was a tough year, when you lose six guys to graduation, injuries, and hall of fame defensive backs, its difficult for any team to overcome, even America's team." Sean Watkins led the Wolverines in scoring with 25 points, 18 of those coming from way beyond the arc. This performance was fitting for Watkins because this was his last game as a Wolverine and it was career high for him in points. Anthony Grayson added 16 points while Jimmy Wilkins wrestled 6 rebounds away from the Coyotes. Wakeland's record ended at 12-16 on the season, along with a 5-9 record in district play. The Wolverines will graduate five seniors: Sean Watkins, Noah Westerfield, Jordan Harris, Sean Antonelli, and Isaac Burt, but will be returning seven letter-men. Its time to hit the weights in the off-season and get ready for the return of the orange and blue in the fall of 2014. Go Wakeland!

Photos by Ms. Hernandez

Raccoons end playoff hopes for Wolverines

Your Wakeland Wolverines lost a hard fought battle this past Friday night to the Frisco Raccoons by a score of 59-54. It was Senior and Parent Recognition Night, so the gym was packed and their wasn't a dry eye in the building as fans appreciated the years of service by fellow Seniors: Sean Watkins, Noah Westerfield, Jordan Harris, Sean Antonelli, and Isaac Burt. All Seniors started the game and were able to play the opening minutes against their biggest rivals one last time on their own home floor. Once again, Wakeland struggled offensively, but their defensive tenacity kept them in the game until they got into their scoring flow. From the second quarter on, it was a game that kept the crowd, especially the student section, on their feet for its entirety. The Wolverines found themselves down by 7 with just a few minutes to play and turned up the heat defensively, which caused some key turnovers for the Raccoons, which helped Wakeland crawl back into the game. Unfortunately, a few shots here and there down the stretch rimmed in and out, and the Raccoons were able to narrowly escape once again from the Wolverine Den with a victory. Freshman Coach Joe Lewis commented to Moscow Weekly, "the electrifying plays that were seen tonight created shock and awe among spectators, much like the Russian trapeze artists that wowed the crowd at the opening ceremonies in Sochi." Once again, it is no surprise that Sean Watkins led the Wolverines in scoring with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Jimmy Wilkins grabbed another 12 rebounds while Anthony Grayson was the second leading scorer with 9 points. The loss brings Wakeland's overall record to 12-15, with a 5-8 record in district play. In addition, the loss mathematically eliminated the Wolverines from post-season play. The Wolverines will be back in action this upcoming Tuesday at Heritage. It will be Senior Night for the Coyotes, so get there early because it will be packed. We need every Wolverine in attendance as we to try to end our season on a winning note. Tip-off is at 8pm, go orange and blue!

Photos by Ms. Hernandez

Wolverines roast Redhawks

Your Wakeland Wolverines flew past the Liberty Redhawks this past Tuesday night by a score of 70-52. The Wolverines struggled in the first part of the opening quarter by scoring zero points. However, their tough defense kept them close and a three by Michael Sullivan at the end of the first quarter found themselves tied with Liberty at 10-10. The second quarter was back and back forth and Wakeland was up two at the half. The Wolverines exploded in the third quarter for 27 points and never looked back for the rest of the night, which sealed the fate of the Redhawks. Junior Varsity Head Coach Blake Reedy commented, "I haven't seen a team score that many points in a quarter since my days of coaching girls basketball back at Staley in '05..., it was nice to see us hitting on all cylinders!" Noah Harmon went 6-7 from inside the arc for 15 points. This performance was special because Harmon led the Wolverines to victory against his old school. Sean Watkins added to his assist total with 5, while Anthony Grayson continued his marksmanship from beyond the arc with three "3's." Jimmy Wilkins pulled down a career high, 12 rebounds. This is the first time all season that the Wolverines have won three games in a row, which has helped them move up the ladder in district play. If Wakeland wants an outside chance of tying Frisco or Liberty for a play-in for the last spot, they must win there last two games against Frisco and Heritage. The Wolverines are 12-14 overall, and 5-7 in District 9-4A. Wakeland will back in action on Friday at home, which is Parent/Senior Night, so you might want to get there early because its going to be packed! You might want to bring some tissues as well because there won't be a dry eye in the building as we send off our five seniors. Go Wakeland!

Photos by Ms. Hernandez

Wakeland belittles Little Elm

Your Wakeland Wolverines wasted no time on Friday night by limiting the Lobos of Little Elm by a score of 71-35. The Wolverines jumped out to a 22-7 lead in the opening quarter, and never looked back. They continued their fast pace on offense by scoring another 23 points in the second quarter, which extended their lead to 45-12 at halftime. Wakeland was able to hold Little Elm to single digits in the first two quarters of play. Head Freshmen Coach Joe Lewis yelled at half-time, "so what if we're up by 30, lets go out there in the second half, do things the right way, and put the pedal to the floor, it's not worth winning if you can't win big!"  Javante McCoy came off the bench and silenced the howl of the Lobos with 12 points. Sean Watkins and Anthony Grayson both scored 11 points. Noah Harmon dominated the glass with 8 boards. This brings Wakeland's overall record back to 11-14, with a 4-7 district record. The Wolverines have a huge week ahead of them as they will face off against two of their biggest rivals at home. First, Wakeland will host cross-town rival, Liberty on Tuesday night, so you better get their early, because its going to be packed and the house will be rocking! Go orange and blue!

Photos by Ms. Hernandez

Wolverines decolonize the Cougars

Your Wakeland Wolverines got some revenge last night against The Colony by defeating the Cougars 76 to 60 on their own home floor. The Colony rolled the Wolverines in the first round of district play by hitting ten "3's" at the Cougar den, but Wakeland returned the favor this time around. It was a crucial win for the Wolverines because that ended their five game skid in district play. Wakeland came out hot from beyond the arc by hitting seven "3's" during the game, thanks to five of those from Anthony Grayson. Even though the Wolverines were already up by double digits at the start of the 3rd, they put the pedal to the medal and ended any hopes of a Cougar comeback. When it was all said and done, Wakeland basically dominated every aspect of the game. Junior Varsity Coach Blake Reedy mentioned to The Colony Courier, "tonight was the exact opposite of what happened last game..., tonight we made the open shots, and physically abused the boards..., and they didn't!" Anthony Grayson led the Wolverines with 25 points, while Sean Watkins had 7 assists. Michael Sullivan and Noah Harmon both added 10 points a piece while Jimmy Wilkins continued his dominance on the glass with 7 boards. The win puts Wakeland's overall record at 10-14 with a 3-7 record in District 9-4A. The Wolverines will battle the Lobos of Little Elm on Friday Night, so come out and enjoy some high-flying basketball. Go Wakeland!

Photos by Ms. Hernandez

Wolverines lose clash with Titans

Your Wakeland Wolverines were defeated by the Centennial Titans this past Friday night by a score of 60 to 45 in a must win game for both teams to keep their play-off hopes alive. Wakeland's slow start in the first half offensively hindered their ability to overcome a ten point deficit in the second half. Even though the Wolverines shot over 50% for the game, they just didn't get enough opportunities against Centennial's tricky zone. In addition, the Titans hit some crucial shots that broke the back of the Wolverines when they tried to mount a comeback. Head Freshmen Coach Joe Lewis, commented to Star Magazine, "when you don't match the intensity of the opposing team on their own home floor, it's going to be hard to win!" Anthony Grayson led the Wolverines with 10 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Sean Watkins added 9 points and 3 assists. Michael Sullivan scored 10 while Jimmy Wilkins pulled down 6 rebounds. This is the fifth district game in a row that the Wolverines have lost, which brings their overall record to 9-14, along with a 2-7 record in district play. The Wolverines will be back in action this Tuesday night at home against the Cougars of The Colony, so come and support your orange and blue as they look to get back to their winning ways. The Varsity tips-off at 8pm. Go Wakeland!

Photos by Ms. Hernandez