By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Walpole's gymnasium was filled with excitement as fans from Walpole and Norwood gathered on a chilly December evening, just days before the holiday break. Walpole celebrated by hosting a doubleheader event for the boys' and girls' basketball teams, both of which engaged in rigorous battles for victory. Unfortunately, both teams fell short against Norwood. The boys' game concluded in double overtime, with Norwood narrowly surpassing Walpole's lead, securing a 94-91 victory. Meanwhile, the girls' team ended the night with a 49-53 loss to the Mustangs. Despite these setbacks, both the boys and girls Timberwolves exhibited resilience and impressive skill sets, indicating that Walpole will likely succeed throughout the season.
The boys took the court first, showcasing their impressive skills and depth in the bench. They maneuvered with speed and agility, taking the lead in a neck-and-neck competition. By halftime, Walpole led Norwood by only six points, with a score of 39-33.
As the referee's whistle marked the beginning of the second half, Walpole continued to dominate on their home court. The crowd on either side anxiously watched, taking quick breaths and sighs of relief as the teams vied for points. With only four minutes left in the match, Norwood caught up to Walpole's lead, tying the game. The boys battled back and forth, attempting to secure a lead, but Norwood forced the game into overtime at the buzzer.
Fans passionately cheered on the Timberwolves, creating an atmosphere that reverberated with energy. The boys continued to fight on the court, but one overtime period was not enough. As the buzzer sounded in the gymnasium, signaling the end of the double overtime, Norwood emerged victorious with a final score of 94-91.
Head coach Jenna Galaster commended the Timberwolves' effort on the court, emphasizing the special qualities of this year's team.
“I thought my boys just left it on the court tonight and so did Norwood, I feel so proud to be able to play so many guys and all of them having such an impact. It's a cool thing as a coach to be able to have that depth,” said Galaster.
After the boys concluded their evening competition, the excitement continued with the girls gearing up to face Norwood. The gymnasium buzzed with music as both teams warmed up for their captivating evening match.
As the music subsided and the crowds settled into their seats, the girls took center stage for the tipoff, displaying determination on the court. The closely contested battle unfolded as both teams consistently added points to the scoreboard. With a hunger for victory evident on both sides, the physical game remained intense. At the conclusion of the first half, Walpole held a narrow lead over Norwood by one point, with a score of 26-25.
Following halftime and strategic planning by both teams, the second half commenced. Walpole entered the court with renewed energy, aiming for precise passes and opportunities to score. The challenging game persisted as both teams relentlessly pursued scoring chances. Despite Walpole's defensive efforts to thwart Norwood's scoring opportunities, the Mustangs managed to find openings, securing the lead and ultimately winning the evening's match. Walpole fell just short with a final score of 49-53.
Head coach Dave Wall of Walpole shared commendations for the girls' efforts on the court after the night's competition.
“I am just proud of the girls' effort, I thought their effort was awesome, they executed the ball very well. I’m super proud of them and I think they competed their butts off, but this is a learning lesson against a good team,” said Wall.
