Used interview from 2:05:41 to write this article.
Senior recognition day is an opportunity to give thanks for four years of hard work and look forward to the future.
Woodland Hills held their ceremony giving thanks to Seniors from the boys’ basketball team, cheerleading squad, and saving their best for last, Peyton Pinkney, the lone senior representative on the girls’ basketball team.
“My journey here has been a ride,” said Pinkney after the game. “One not to forget. You live, and you learn. It’s a great experience to go through, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
With the WPIAL girls basketball tournaments hosting games in the higher seed’s gym for all matchups and one more home regular-season game against Franklin Regional. There will be more chances for the Lady Wolverines (9-4, 8-1) to dazzle in front of a home crowd as they did in a 49-40 win to Gateway last Saturday.
The game was a back and forth affair as the biggest lead both teams could muster was six, and they headed into the fourth quarter deadlocked at 32.
After Gateway went up 36 to 32, Woodland Hills went on an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, that was sparked primarily by the play of Pinkney, who had 17 points in the game.
For the fourth game in a row this week, both Pinkney and Hope Hawkins (10 points) were in double figures and were vital towards the run.
With the senior in the high post and the freshman operating in the low post knowing well, they can’t guard both of them.
“Every freshman has a senior,” said Pinkney. “Hope’s my freshman this year. I try to walk her through things I had trouble with as a freshman year. Make sure she doesn’t get mad at the game or herself.”
Kayla Walter had 8 points, added with Jasmyn Fisher scoring 6. Carmen Vasquez had 5, and Jazmine Dunn had 3 points.
Gateway’s (6-10, 2-7) Alexis Margolis had 16, and Dynasty Shegog had 13 points.
Woodland Hills remains in a deadlock with Latrobe for the 5A-Section 4 title and will take on Franklin Regional at home on Monday. Gateway will travel to Greensburg Salem, on Monday.