Wesleyan girls score big en route to quarterfinals

A 48-point home victory usually would not stir more than a couple of high-fives and complimentary nod from Wesleyan girls basketball coach Jan Azar. But Tuesday night as the Wolves blasted visiting Darlington 80-32 in the second round of the Class A state playoffs, something more was needed — pizza and a giant cookie cake.

The victory marked the final home game for senior forward Anne Marie Armstrong, a Georgia signee and reigning Ms. Basketball. Wesleyan celebrated her parting in style as it prepared for a quarterfinal trip to Marietta.

“Anne Marie has done a lot for this program,” Azar said. “I think she’s definitely going out the right way. It’s her goal to finish with a state championship.”

The Wolves (26-4) are certainly on the right path for their sixth state crown. Wesleyan opened a bit sloppy against the Tigers (13-16), who had upset a 20-9 Walker team to advance to the second round.

But that didn’t last. A 16-8 lead ballooned after a 14-0 run entering the second quarter. Wesleyan led 49-11 at the half. Armstrong finished with 19, and teammate Erin Hall scored 21. Ebony Carter scored 12 for Darlington.

“It just seems kind of surreal because I’ve played for four years,” Armstrong said. “It’s gone by so fast. So I don’t think it’s really hit me yet.”