SOUTH WAYNE - It was a special moment Friday for the Black Hawk girls basketball team and its program. For a core group of seniors on the Warriors' roster, their game against Pecatonica would be the last time they took the floor on their home court. For senior Jen Wellnitz, she made sure the night would be one she and many others would never forget.
Wellnitz erupted for a school-record 36 points in a 57-36 victory over the Vikings as her team ended its conference play for the season. Reflecting on his team's seniors, Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said this year's crop has been a special group.
"Our senior group this year is an interesting group," Flanagan said. "They're a very tight-knit group. With having someone like Jen, it takes special players to be able to find and accept their roles in playing as a team.
"And it's also a credit to Jen. She has been unselfish throughout this whole process, and she understood from the start how important it is to bring some players along with her throughout this season."
In their game against Pecatonica, the Warriors were able to get out to an early start, but the Vikings (0-19, 0-8) were determined to keep the game close.
"You have to credit their coach and their team; there is a lot of fight left in them," Flanagan said. "They had some kids tonight who were able to hit some shots."
After committing six early turnovers, the Vikings found themselves in a hole with only one way to respond.
"After our team's turnovers, I thought we were able to play them (Black Hawk) close," Vikings coach Scott Carlson said. "Despite the loss, our team played pretty well tonight. I actually thought we played our best game on offense."
Emily Scoville had 10 points for Pecatonica, which closes out conference play against Argyle on Thursday, Feb. 20.
For the Warriors, Wellnitz will always remember her last game in Black Hawk, where her name will be placed in the annals of one of her school's all-time greats.
"She (Wellnitz) is a great player," Carlson said. "She's one of those players where you constantly have to know where she is at all times. She's very fun to watch."
With the win, Black Hawk secures a second-place spot in the Six Rivers East conference.
"I told them that we were only a few points away from securing a share of conference," Mike Flanagan said to his team. "But despite all of this season's outcomes, we still have plenty of basketball to play."
So while the Black Hawk seniors may have played their last game on their home court, they surely haven't played their last game as a group.
Wellnitz erupted for a school-record 36 points in a 57-36 victory over the Vikings as her team ended its conference play for the season. Reflecting on his team's seniors, Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said this year's crop has been a special group.
"Our senior group this year is an interesting group," Flanagan said. "They're a very tight-knit group. With having someone like Jen, it takes special players to be able to find and accept their roles in playing as a team.
"And it's also a credit to Jen. She has been unselfish throughout this whole process, and she understood from the start how important it is to bring some players along with her throughout this season."
In their game against Pecatonica, the Warriors were able to get out to an early start, but the Vikings (0-19, 0-8) were determined to keep the game close.
"You have to credit their coach and their team; there is a lot of fight left in them," Flanagan said. "They had some kids tonight who were able to hit some shots."
After committing six early turnovers, the Vikings found themselves in a hole with only one way to respond.
"After our team's turnovers, I thought we were able to play them (Black Hawk) close," Vikings coach Scott Carlson said. "Despite the loss, our team played pretty well tonight. I actually thought we played our best game on offense."
Emily Scoville had 10 points for Pecatonica, which closes out conference play against Argyle on Thursday, Feb. 20.
For the Warriors, Wellnitz will always remember her last game in Black Hawk, where her name will be placed in the annals of one of her school's all-time greats.
"She (Wellnitz) is a great player," Carlson said. "She's one of those players where you constantly have to know where she is at all times. She's very fun to watch."
With the win, Black Hawk secures a second-place spot in the Six Rivers East conference.
"I told them that we were only a few points away from securing a share of conference," Mike Flanagan said to his team. "But despite all of this season's outcomes, we still have plenty of basketball to play."
So while the Black Hawk seniors may have played their last game on their home court, they surely haven't played their last game as a group.
