HS Boys Basketball District Report by ALAN BRAKE

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WILDCATS’ SEASON ENDS WITH WIN AND LOSS IN DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

The Montgomery County R-2 Basketball Wildcats saw their 2012-13 season come to an end last week in the Missouri District 6 Tournament Playoffs, played at North Callaway High School.  On Tuesday, February 19, the Wildcats won their First Round game against Wright City by the score of 58-41.  But the season ended on Friday, February 22, with a 67-59 loss to North Callaway.

North Callaway went on to play Christian High School (from O’Fallon) in the Championship game on Saturday, February 23.  Christian won the game (and District Championship) 82-48.  Christian will play Lutheran North in the State Sectional Game on Wednesday, February 27.  The winner of that game will play in the State Quarterfinal Game on Saturday, March 2.

In Tuesday’s game the Wildcats were facing Wright City for the second time this season.  They had defeated Wright City 59-31 on December 14.

In the first half, this game was much closer than the previous game.  The Wildcats did outscore WC 12-8 in the first quarter, to establish a lead they would not relinquish.  However, WC outscored the Wildcats 8-6 in the second quarter to cut R-2’s lead to 18-16.

The Wildcats took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring WC 21-11 to make the score 39-26 at the end of the quarter.  The Wildcats continued to play hard in the final period and outscored WC 19-15 to make the final score 58-41.

Cameron Parrish led the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points (6 field goal/FGs, 1 3-pointer, and 4 free throws/FTs).  He was followed in the scoring by Justin Hall with 13 points (4 FGs/5 FTs), Jerad Jordan with 12 points (1 FG/10 FTs), Jacob Davis with 6 points (2 FGs/2 FTs), and Tim Kroll and Jackson Bishop with 4 points each (2 FGs each).  Brian Davis, Dylan Skeens, Chase Worsham, and Kyle Kroll also played but did not score.  No other stats were available when this report was written.

In Friday’s game the Wildcats were also facing North Callaway for the second time this season.  The first game was played at Montgomery County on February 5, and the Wildcats won 56-49.  However, this game was played at North Callaway and traditionally NC is tough to beat at home.  This season had been no different, as NC had won all 8 previous home games.

Early on North Callaway appeared to be on the way to an easy win, as NC outscored the Wildcats 20-7.  However, the Wildcats showed that they were not going to give up or give in, as they outscored NC 17-9 in the second quarter to cut NC’s lead to 29-24 at halftime.

The Wildcats continued to play well in the third quarter, outplaying North Callaway and outscoring NC 22-15 to take a 46-44 lead at the end of the quarter.  Unfortunately the Wildcats could not continue their momentum, as they were outscored 23-13 in the fourth quarter and lost to North Callaway 67-59. 

Jordan led the team in scoring with 27 points (5 FGs/3 3-pointers/8 FTs).  He was followed in the scoring by Parrish with 13 points (2 FGs/2 3-pointer/3 FTs), T. Kroll with 11 points (4 FGs/1 3-pointer), Hall with 4 points (1 FG/2 FTs), and J. Davis and Skeens with 2 points each (1 FG each).  B. Davis, Bishop, Worsham and K. Kroll also played but did not score.  No other stats were available when this report was written.

With these games the Wildcats’ finished the 2012-13 season with an overall record of 15 wins and 11 losses.  This is the first winning season and the most wins for the Wildcat Boys’ basketball program in several years. 

In addition, the Wildcats had an East Missouri (EMO) Conference record of 6 wins and 3 losses. This record placed them in a tie for third place with North Callaway and Clopton (10 teams).  Elsberry won the conference championship with a record of 8 wins and 1 loss.

The Wildcats will lose Senior Tim Kroll to graduation in May.  Except for the games he missed due to injury, Tim started every game.  He was fourth on the team in scoring and assists, and always played solid defense.  His play and leadership will be missed.  Best wishes Tim as you move on to college in Rolla next Fall.

The outlook for the Wildcats for next season looks very good.  All 9 players who should be returning to next year’s squad had significant playing time this season and were definite contributors to this year’s success.  This returning experience, combined with a solid off-season effort, should make for a highly successful 2013-14 season.

Congratulations to Wildcats and coaching staff for your first winning Varsity season in several years.  Best wishes for the 2013-14 season.