***Kyra Galbraith is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
Wethersfield High School’s gym came alive with a lineup of special events: an FFA fundraiser, an action-packed basketball game, a mini-cheer clinic performance and a night full of rewards and recognition. The gym was packed full as the community gathered for a fun-filled evening.
The night’s action kicked off at 5 p.m., with the junior varsity game heating up alongside the annual FFA Alumni fundraiser.
Wethersfield’s alumni Chairmen Chris Kendall, said, “This is the Wethersfield FFA Alumni pulled pork fundraiser. The funds generated from this go towards our scholarships to FFA seniors continuing their education in agriculture. We’re awesome!”
Throughout the evening, fans enjoyed a variety of treats, including pork chops, pulled pork sandwiches and a wide variety of desserts.
On the court, the Flying Geese and the Abington-Avon Tornadoes squared off in what would be an intense matchup. The Tornadoes claimed possession and quickly put up a two-pointer. Reese Rumbold, however, wasted even less time before launching a three-pointer to start the Geese.
Unfortunately, the Geese found themselves struggling as the game progressed. The Tornadoes’ offense was simply too strong, and by the end of the first period, they had the lead 7-14.
The second period was dominated by the Tornadoes, as they put an impressive 25 points on the scoreboard while the Geese could manage just one. By halftime, the Tornadoes were well in control with an 8-35 lead.
But halftime wasn’t just about the score — it was a chance to celebrate the spirit of Wethersfield and its athletes.
The crowd was treated to some unforgettable moments, starting with a special award presentation. Junior Lana Scott was honored with a customized basketball in recognition of becoming the 12th Lady Geese player to score 1,000 career points.
Her coach, Todd Hansen, along with her former coach, Sarah Hansen, both part of the exclusive 1,000-point club, presented her with the award to loud cheers from the crowd.
The excitement didn’t stop there. The Flying Geese cheerleaders brought out the future of Wethersfield’s cheerleading program, as 78 elementary girls, ranging from three to 10 years old, took to the court. Together with the current cheerleaders, they performed a sideline cheer and a heartwarming routine to “Golden” from the popular movie KPop Demon Hunters.
WHS Cheer Coach Cathy Dana expressed her pride, saying, “We loved all the participation from the elementary students this year. They practiced so hard and seemed to have fun doing it!”
After halftime, the game resumed, but the Geese faced an uphill battle. Despite the score, they played with determination, stepping up their defense and showing resilience.
A hard fought second half by the Geese changed little as the Tornadoes maintained their strong lead. The third period ended with the score at 56-18.
The fourth period mirrored the previous one, with the Geese continuing to push forward. They managed to score a few more points, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. When the final buzzer sounded, the Tornadoes emerged the winners with a lopsided score of 62-27.
The Geese’s top scorers for the night were Rumbold with 12 points, junior Collin Hodge with 8, and senior Drew Hornback with 4. Despite the tough loss, the team showed heart and grit, pushing through until the very end.
It was a night full of energy, community spirit and celebration that reminded everyone of the pride and determination that defines Wethersfield.
