WILLITS >> Twenty wins overall, a North Central League I championship and 11 consecutive league victories. That’s what you’ll find on the resume of the Middletown Mustangs as they prepare to enter the next phase of their season, the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs, which begin next week.
Middletown closed out its league and regular season with a 55-24 victory over the Willits Wolverines on Thursday night in Willits. While the game meant absolutely nothing for the Mustangs in terms of the NCL I race, which they wrapped up earlier this week, it provided one more opportunity for the team to build momentum leading into the postseason. They’ll find out on Sunday where they have been seeded in the 16-team Division IV field, who they will be playing and where (most likely at Middletown).
“Whoever we have we’re going to have our hands full,” Middletown coach Anthony Bazzano said of any first-round matchup. “Our goal this season is to be a factor, not a participant.”
A year ago Middletown, the No. 16 seed, ran headlong into No. 1 Salesian in a first-round game and lost 61-17. The Mustangs opened this season against that same Pride team, falling 60-44. Salesian is 25-2 as of Thursday, including a 10-0 league mark.
“We’ve done everything we can to this point to get there (playoffs),” Bazzano added. “We just need to continue to get a little bit better every day. That’s been our goal all season.”
Finishing off its NCL I schedule, Middletown took care of its business at Willits although the game was both physical and nasty at times, according to Bazzano.
“We’re just glad to get out of there with no injuries,” he said.
Middletown dominated Willits (7-7) from the start. It was 14-5 after one quarter, 29-11 at halftime and 43-15 after three quarters.
Ashlyn Welton and Nicole Corsett each had double-doubles. Welton finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds while Corsetti added 17 points and 12 boards.
“She’s a monster,” Bazzano said of Corsetti. “She’s a pretty special kid.”
