The Wayland girls’ basketball team, still not back at full strength after injuries, lost to Hastings Friday night for the second time this season.

The Lady Wildcats dropped a 62-53 verdict to a team that has not beaten Wayland in girls’ basketball twice in a season in recent memory. Top scorer Ali Cutler was still not in uniform after suffering an injury earlier this month. Karli Warning was back in action, as was Bethany Teunissen, both recovering from ankle and knee injuries, respectively. Mckenzie Kasper had been out for almost all season because of concussions and McKaylah Donewald has left the team by graduating early.

Wayland lost by three earlier this at Hastings, but this one wasn’t as close until there was about a minute and a half remaining. The Lady Wildcats’ full-court pressure picked up a few turnovers and Karli Warning nailed a three and got a steal and layup and Hope Dollarhide scored inside on a pass from Ali Martus to bring them to within six, 57-51 and they even had a change to cut the margin to four, but missed a layup.

Hastings was able to close out the ballgame on the strength of free throws. The Saxons converted on 20 of 28 attempts for the evening.

Maddie Dailey, who like Martus is a first-rate golfer, did most of the damage for Hastings, now 10-7 overall. She dropped in 26 points, sophomore Jordyn Wigg had 12 and Brenagan Murphy nine.

Sydney Ritz, who has taken on more scoring chores with Cutler’s absence, led the Wildcats with 14 points. Warning and junior Taryn Coughlin both has 10 and Martus nine.

The Lady Wildcats, now 8-10 for the season overall, will have their work cut out for them Tuesday at home against once-beaten Grand Rapids South Christian, the No. 3 Class B team in the state.

PHOTO: Sydney Ritz, shown here in action Tuesday night at Mattawan, led Wayland with 14 points Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Kenny Ritz)