GIRLS BASKETBALL: Wink advances to first regional semifinal in program history

BIG SPRING Wink senior Awbrie Medina said she was still shaking after a 37-36 victory against Garden City in a Girls Class 1A Division II regional quarterfinal Tuesday at Howard College’s Dorothy Garrett Coliseum.

Medina was 30 minutes removed from a pressure-packed situation. The senior guard said she remembered walking to the free-throw line — the game tied 36-36 with 1.5 seconds left — after she was fouled attempting a 3-point shot.

“I told myself, ‘Let’s just end this here,’ ” she said.

Medina did just that by making one out of three free throws, helping her team to victory.

“If someone isn’t nervous during something like that, they’re lying,” said Medina, who scored 12 points. “I knew I would make one of them because I made a few earlier in the game.”

The win propelled the Lady Cats to their first regional semifinals round in school history. They are scheduled to play Lipan (31-3) in the Class 1A Division II semifinals round at 5 p.m. at Abilene Christian University.

Wink coach Craig Summers said he was confident that his team would pull out the win, especially after they squeaked out a last-second 44-42 overtime victory against Sterling City last week.

“I knew we had a chance, if we kept it close,” Summers said. “Anything can happen when you play good defense and keep it close.”

Gracie Ramos and Michyla Hyde chipped in seven and six points, respectively, for the Lady Cats.

Cassie Hirt scored seven points to lead Garden City (27-7). Taylor Hughes, Hannah Halfmann and Lexi Schaefer each added six points in the loss.

>> Wink 37, Garden City 36 

CLASS 1A DIVISION II

REGIONAL QUARTERFINAL

At Howard College’s Dorothy Garrett Coliseum, Big Spring

WINK (21-8)

Awbrie Medina 4 3-5 12; Gracie Ramos 2 3-4 7; Michyla Hyde 3 0-0 6; Tiffany Polanco 3 0-1 6; Tawny Underwood 2 0-0 4; Lacee Creech 1 0-1 2; Totals 15 6-11 37.

GARDEN CITY (27-7)

Cassie Hirt 3 1-2 7; Taylor Hughes 1 4-4 7; Hannah Halfmann 2 0-0 6; Lexie Schaefer 2 0-0 6; Kamie Halfmann 2 0-0 5; Holly Halfmann 1 1-2 ; Magdaly Huerta 1 0-2 2; Totals 12 6-10 36.

Wink.......................... 7.... 6     9   15   —    37

Garden City............... 5.. 12     9   10   —    36

3-point goals -- Wink 1 (Medina); Garden City 6 (Hannah Halfmann 2, Schaefer 2, Kamie Halfmann, Hughes). Total fouls — Wink 11, Garden City 16. Fouled out — Garden City: Schaefer.