Wildcats’ Cipoletta on Coaches’ Show
On KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta repeated that the Wildcats always get the other team’s best. He felt it happened again last Friday as the Wildcats defeated Texas High, 63-48 at home. The Tigers trailed by only six points at one point early in the fourth quarter before the Wildcats pulled away at the end. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats have a targets on their backs and no one takes them lightly. He was not pleased with all the offensive rebounds the Tigers got Friday night. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats gave up a lot of them to the Tigers and he told his team their season could get cut short if they continue to allow that to happen. Coach Cipoletta also said the Wildcats defense was not where he would like it to be against the Tigers. Still the Wildcats only yielded an average of 12 points per quarter. Coach Cipoletta commented on a couple of big defensive plays the Wildcats made on Tigers’ breakaways. He said those plays win ballgames. The Wildcats continued to get key scoring from several players and Coach Cipoletta said that would keep other coaches from trying to shut down any one player. The Wildcats are ranked #8 in the state again this week and they are 3-0 in district play and 20-3 for the season. They have a big showdown at Mount Pleasant Friday night.
Lady Cats’ Chapman on Coaches’ Show
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman said Friday night’s district game at Texas High felt like deja vu. The Lady Cats have played the Lady Tigers twice this year, once in the Winnsboro Hoopfest and the second time in TexarkanaFriday. In both games, the Lady Cats led going into the fourth quarter only to see the Lady Tigers stage a big rally. A five point led did not hold up at Hoopfest but a 12-point lead did last Friday night. The Lady Cats prevailed, 47-44. Coach Chapman said Texas High was the district’s most athletic team. He said they can play two sets of five players. Coach Chapman said one group screens the Lady Cats’ guards and penetrates. A second bunch features better shooters Coach Chapman said. He said the Lady Tigers fourth quarter pressure seemed to get to the Lady Cats. On the positive side, Coach Chapman said when the Lady Cats handled the press, they looked good. Texas High got to within one point of the Lady Cats but never could take a lead in the fourth quarter. Coach Chapman said Kaylee Jefferson and Sadavia Porter played well. He credited Autumn Tanton for her defense and rebounding. Coach Chapman added that Imani Taylor hit a big three point basket and made some clutch free throws. He also praised the defense of Danielle Godbolt and Te’Arria Rose. Coach Chapman also gave his Gold JV team some credit for the Texas High win. He said the JV won in overtime while the varsity got fired up cheering them on. The Lady Cats are again ranked #9 in the state this week. They are 5-0 in district play and 19-3 for the season. The Lady Cats have a key match up with Mount Pleasant Friday night at home.
