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Ciara Morcomb of Winona Senior High makes a lay-up shot for two points on Feb. 22 against the Rochester Century Panthers at Century High School. (Photo by Danielle Topka/Winona360)

After the lady Winhawks claimed a victory over the Faribault Falcons last Friday in their last home game of the season, they wanted to add another ‘W’ to their schedule.

The fourth-ranked lady Winhawks tipped off against the sixth-ranked Rochester Century Panthers Feb. 22 in a nail-biting game that ended in defeat for Winona Senior High School.

The Winhawks jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the first half at Century High School with two, two-point shots, and Ellen Blacklock making one free throw after the Panthers were called on foul for holding. 

Audrey Scharmer led the top scorers with eight points, while Nicky Becher took the first basket of the game and a three-pointer halfway through the first. This did not deter the Panthers however, as they responded with several two-point shots, and a three-point basket made by Stephanie Murray, as they worked their way up the scoreboard. The first half ended with Century ahead 20-18.

The Century Panthers continued playing aggressively in the second half, making three, three-pointers early. Winona responded with Blacklock scoring nine points, Morcomb scoring seven, and Scharmer for four points.

Lady Panther’s Kelsey Braatz made a two-pointer to tie up the game with just two minutes remaining in the second half. 

Three fouls were called on the Winhawks resulting in free throws for Century who made four out of six baskets. One foul was called on Century in the last two minutes resulting in two more points for the Winhawks.

As the clock ran out, the Winhawks rushed the ball up court and tried for a three-pointer and missed as the buzzer rang, signaling the end of the game.

The Panthers won 47-45, in a very close battle with the Winhawks.

“Century played harder,” Tim Gleason, WSHS head coach, said. “I hope they learned that talent alone doesn’t win games; they need to play harder. We weren’t playing to our potential, and there were too many mistakes."