MILL VALLEY >> Ashlyn Welton’s basket with 10 seconds remaining lifted Middletown to a 46-45 win over Lincoln High School of San Francisco in the opening round of the Tamalpais Tournament on Thursday evening in Mill Valley.
Welton, one of the top post players in the small-school ranks, took a pass down low from teammate Makenzi Smith and made the shot to wipe out a 45-44 Lincoln lead. The points were Welton’s team-leading 22nd and 23rd of the game.
“She was a beast on both ends,” Middletown coach Anthony Bazzano said of the senior. “She was the best player on that floor.”
Welton also pulled down 12 rebounds as Middletown improved to 2-1 on the season and advanced into tonight’s semifinals against Urban of San Francisco at 5:30 p.m.
Momentum and the lead changed often during the game, according to Bazzano.
“It was back and forth the whole game,” Bazzano said.
Middletown jumped out to an 11-4 lead only to watch Lincoln finish the first quarter with a 10-0 run and 14-11 advantage. The Mustangs trailed 24-23 at halftime before surging back in front with a 16-6 third quarter.
Lincoln wiped out that nine-point deficit after three quarters to push in front in the final seconds.
“We were horrible at the free-throw line and made our share of unforced errors, but the bottom line is the girls made plays down the stretch,” Bazzano said.
Kaleigh Alves joined Welton in double digits with 10 points and also had four steals. Smith was limited to three points but did have six rebounds and five assists, that final assist setting up Welton on what proved to be the game-winning shot.
“It was a big win for the girls,” Bazzano said.
