For those keeping score at home, the Wildcats’ basketball team won their third game this season Friday (December 21) against a Class 6A team ranked in the Top 25. The Wildcats defeated #12 ranked Houston Sam Houston, 69-64 in overtime in the opening game of the Christmas Crossover at the Delmar Fieldhouse in Houston. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta called it a very good win and said he was very proud of how hard and together the Wildcats played.
He said the Wildcats did a great job of handling the Tigers pressure adding they broke the press and made them pay in the first half. The Wildcats were up 36-21 at halftime. Coach Cipoletta said the Tigers’ pressure began to get to the Wildcats in the second half and he said Sam Houston took a 4 point lead with only a couple of minutes left in the game. He said the Wildcats did a great job battling back to tie the score. The Wildcats had to make a huge defensive stop in the last two seconds of the game.
In overtime, Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats executed on offense and played great defense to get the win. He said the offensive execution and defense were the best they have been all season.
Keaston Willis led the Wildcats with 20 points and he had 5 rebounds. Grayson McClure had it best game as a varsity Wildcat as he poured in 14 points, had 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Jeremiah Roland added 11 points and has 3 assists. Sadaidriene Day Day Hall scored 10 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and dished out 5 assists. Cameron Kahn scored 8 points, had 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Boo Wilkerson had 6 points with 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
The Wildcats also have wins this season against Class 6A ranked teams Rockwall and Killeen Ellison. The Wildcats improved their season record to 12-6. Four of their six losses were to ranked Class 6A powers Denton Guyer, Jesuit of Dallas, Wylie and Fort Bend Elkins. The other two losses were to Class 6A teams Mansfield Summit and Lake Highlands.
After a Christmas break of several days, the Wildcats continue their competition against Class 6A ranked giants. They face #20 Katy Morton Ranch in the three-day 2018 Whataburger Tournament in Haltom City next Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
