After the Wildcats Basketball Team lost to Denton Guyer last Tuesday (December 17), Coach Clark Cipoletta told his team they needed to play with more physicality. His staff counted 82 missed block outs against Guyer. On KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coach’s Show, Coach Cipoletta said physicality was a big emphasis going into last Friday night’s home game against Jesuit of Dallas. Coach Cipoletta said he was pleased with his team’s physical play against Jesuit. He said the team also executed traps as they put the pressure on Jesuit. He said the goal was to disrupt the Rangers’ offense. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats battled from start to finish in the 65-52 win. Jesuit did make a run in the fourth quarter carving into a 17 point lead to get within 7 points. Despite some fourth quarter turnovers, Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats did enough good things to get the win. He said all the Wildcats shooting numbers exceeded goals: 53% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 89.5% from the foul line (17 of 19). Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats did a good job of moving the ball around well creating good shots. Down the stretch, the Wildcats hit 11 of 12 free throws to hold off the Rangers and increase the lead. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats 20 turnovers was too high. He’d rather see a figure closer to 10. He was pleased that the Wildcats out rebounded Jesuit, 30-18. Sounding like a volleyball coach Coach Cipoletta said a key to success for the Wildcats is kills. A kill is defined as three defensive stops in a row. He said when the Wildcats have 7 kills they are unbeaten. The #17 ranked Wildcats are now 12-5 for the season. Thursday they open play in the Whataburger Tournament against Harris County Atascocita, the #6 ranked team in Class 6A. Game time is 7 p.m. in the Mansfield Legacy Gym.
