Coach Tisdell on Lady Cats 1-Point Win at Hugo, Oklahoma Friday
The Lady Cats’ basketball team came out on the right end of a one-point game Friday (December 21) at Hugo, Oklahoma. The Lady Cats defeated the Lady Buffaloes, 43-42. The Lady Buffaloes missed a short shot in the game’s final seconds. Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell admitted the game was a thriller, perhaps too much so. So what was she thinking as Hugo took that last shot. First of all Coach Tisdell said she was ready to call a time out if the shot had been made. Prior to the shot, she had told her team to put their hands up and play defense but to avoid a foul. Coach Tisdell said she did not want Hugo to make the shot and get a foul shot. She said the officials were calling a lot of fouls on the Lady Cats and they were in foul trouble. Basically Coach Tisdell said she prayed the final shot would not go in. Lady Cat Nylah Lindley grabbed the rebound on the missed shot to secure the win. Coach Tisdell said the Lady Cats got killed on the boards by the athletic Lady Buffaloes during the first half. At halftime, she encouraged her team to fight for the rebounds and she said they did a good job rebounding during the second half. Last Cats’ post Autumn Tanton hit the basket that turned out to be the game winner and she led the Lady Cats with 26 points. Coach Tisdell said Tanton was very impressive early in the game draining her shots. She said she tried to isolate the dominating Tanton on the Lady Buffaloes’ post players. Despite the hectic finish, Coach Tisdell said the game with extremely athletic Hugo was good preparation for the Lady Cats with district play coming up soon. She said despite foul trouble none of the Lady Cats fouled out. Coach Tisdell said she was forced to go into a zone defense in an attempt to cut down on fouling. After the Christmas break, the Lady Cats will be playing Thursday (December 27) in the three-day Idabel, Oklahoma Winter Classic. The Lady Cats, now 15-3 for the season, open Thursday at 10 a.m. against Arkansas High.
Coach Cipoletta Comments on Impressive Win Over Houston Sam Houston in Friday Showcase
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta discussed the latest Wildcats huge win over a ranked Class 6A opponent on KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday (December 22) Morning Coaches Show. Friday the Wildcats topped #12 ranked Class 6A team, Houston Sam Houston, 69-64 in overtime in the Christmas Crossover Showcase in Houston. It was the Wildcats third win over a ranked Class 6A program in seven such contests this season. Coach Cipoletta said the Sam Houston win was a great game. He said it was the best first half the Wildcats have had on offense and defense this season. Coach Cipoletta said the Tigers were super athletic, pressed the Wildcats the entire game and were really quick. He said the Wildcats did a great job in the first half breaking the press and making good decisions. Coach Cipoletta said during the second half, Sam Houston began to wear the Wildcats down and they began to hit their shots. He said the Tigers had a four point lead late in the game. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats had to make two straight stops and then execute on offense to score twice and tie the game. Another stop was required to send the game into overtime. He said the Wildcats played well in overtime making six straight stops on defense. Coach Cipoletta said he was proud of his team for finding a way to win on a court that was basically the home court for the Tigers. There were a lot of Wildcats who had to play well to make the victory possible. Coach Cipoletta talked about Grayson McClure who hit 4 three-point baskets and scored 14 points. McClure prepared for this season by taking 40,000 shots this summer. Keaston Willis led the Wildcats with 20 points and Coach Cipoletta pointed out his work ethic has made him into the scorer he has become. Jeremiah Roland had 11 points and Coach Cipoletta talked about his strong defense and ball handling. Day Day Hall scored 10 points and collected 18 big rebounds including 11 offensive rebounds. Cameron Kahn scored 8 points and Coach Cipoletta added Kahn is very good at taking offensive charges. Sophomore Boo Wilkerson scored 6 points and Coach Cipoletta said he scored to tie the game and then in overtime tipped in two missed shots to give the Wildcats a four point lead. The Wildcats again played without their tallest player, 6-foot-9 post Xavier Cork who is out with a sore big toe. Coach Cipoletta said he wants to make sure X is completely healthy before he returns with big district games starting soon. After the Christmas break, the Wildcats will play in the three-day Whataburger Tournament. Their first game is against Katy Morton Ranch, ranked #18 in Class 6A. The Wildcats play Thursday (December 27) at 11:30 a.m. at Birdville ISD’ W.G. Thomas Coliseum in Haltom City.
