Close, but no cigar.

That flippant phase perhaps best describes the fortunes of the Wayland and Martin girls’ basketball teams this week in the regional tournaments. Both last year captured regional championships and came within a whisker of doing it back-to-back.

Wayland Thursday night at Vicksburg put together a furious rally that nearly ruined Edwardsburg’s thus far perfect season, The Eddies came in to the contest with a spotless 23-0 record and the scrappy Lady Wildcats came up short by only two points, 59-57.

Wayland’s season came to an end with a 15-9 overall record.

Martin’s season was concluded Tuesday evening by Muskegon Heights 43-40 after leading by 15 points at the half. Muskegon Heights proved to be the real deal in the finals Thursday night by taking down Gobles for the regional crown.