WELLINGTON – On Friday (Mar. 1), the Wellington Wolverines (23-6) have their eyes set on a trip to Lakeland with a Class 9A regional finals matchup against Cypress Bay (20-6).

The ride for the Wolves hasn’t been easy.

Against Jupiter in the District 9-9A final, the Wolverines took down the 9-9A runner-up, 50-42. The win set up a game in the Class 9A regional quarterfinals, where Wellington defeated 9A-10 runner-up Lake Worth to advance in the FHSAA state playoffs.

On Tuesday (Feb. 26), the Wolverines matched up again with Jupiter in the 9A regional semifinals. In a back-and-forth matchup, Linton Brown’s 30 points led the way in Wellington’s 60-51 win.

As a team, the Wolverines have won 12 of their last 13 games, with their only loss coming in a three-point game to Atlantic. The Wolverines made last year’s state final, where they fell to Oak Ridge.

Brown’s success will be critical in the game against Cypress Bay. Named Wellington’s Player of the Year, he has been dominant in just about every game and has shown the ability to take control of any game when called upon.

For Cypress Bay, a 55-46 win against Stoneman Douglas set up its semifinal game against Western, where the Lightning won 64-50.

Against Western, the Lightning shot well from three and got 19 points from Tristian Goldstein, who hit three 3-pointers in one quarter of action.

The winner of tonight’s game will play the winner of Evans and Seminole, who play at Evans. The tip off for Wellington-Cypress Bay is set for 7 p.m. at Cypress Bay in Weston.