Two trophies for Licking at Big Cat Classic
Photo by Shari Harris
From left, front row: Jayde Thompson, Keely Gorman, Addison Floyd, Hadlee Davis, Zoe Dawson, Allie Hock, Kinley Keaton, Linzie Wallace, Mya Rinne, Sadie Hutsell, Mylie Peterson, Cheyenne Mason and Town & Country Bank Vice President/Licking Branch Manager Rawly Gorman; back row: Town & Country Bank Senior Vice President Doug Barnes, Morgan Stone, Asst. Coach Rick Mosher, Head Coach Steve Rissler, Asst. Coach Callie Smith and Asst. Coach Eriq Kristek.
Photo by Shari Harris
From left, kneeling: Kohen Blankenship, Karson Walker, Carter Sullins, Kannon Buckner, Roston Stockard and Josh Wade; standing: Town & Country Bank Senior Vice President Doug Barnes, Asst. Coach Chris Harris, Nate Gambill, Jordan Ritz, Kale Cook, Benton Corley, Titus Scavone, Lake Wade, Mgr. Jerry Hofstetter, Head Coach Phillip Gambill, and Town & Country Bank Vice President/Licking Branch Manager Rawly Gorman.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
The annual Big Cat Classic, hosted by Town & Country Banks, was held Tuesday evening, November 26. The location alternates between Licking and Salem, with this year’s event being held in Salem. The Big Cat Classic is a full evening of basketball between the boys’ and girls’ varsity and junior varsity teams.
The evening began at 4 p.m. with the Licking Lady Wildcats Junior Varsity squad facing the Salem Lady Tigers. This was followed by the Licking Wildcats Junior Varsity competing against the Salem Tigers Junior Varsity.
By the completion of the junior varsity games, the Tiger gymnasium was packed. Giveaways of gift cards and t-shirts added to the excitement as fans prepared to cheer on their varsity teams.
The Licking Lady ’Cats Varsity, fresh off a come-from-behind win against Fredericktown, didn’t give the Salem Lady Tigers the opportunity of building a lead. They had a convincing win and moved their record to 2-0 for the season.
The Licking Wildcats and Salem Tigers battled mightily for possession of the boys’ trophy. It looked like Licking had the advantage until the fourth quarter, when Salem managed to tie the game up and take it to overtime. The teams stayed close throughout overtime, taking it down to the wire, with Licking pulling out the win and capturing the trophy.
See the coaches’ reports on page A4 for more game details and scores.
Lady ’Cats win Big Cat Classic
Photo by Shari Harris
Allie Hock led scoring with 24 points for the Lady Wildcats.
By Coach Steve Rissler
The Lady ’Cats from Licking made the short bus trip to our neighbors from Dent County to face the Salem Lady Tigers on Tuesday for the annual Town & Country Bank Big Cat Classic.
Licking and Salem traded baskets to start the game, but LHS went on a 29-2 run to finish the half, putting the game out of reach at the midway point.
Salem played mostly even in the second half as Licking went on cruise control. The Lady Tigers never got the lead under 20, and a few late buckets by Licking stretched the advantage to 30. Final score was 52-22.
Allie Hock led all scorers with 24 points, Keely Gorman was also in double figures with 15. Also scoring were Linzie Wallace 7, Hadlee Davis 6, Morgan Stone 2 and Zoey Dawson 2 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well from 3, outside of Gorman, but we managed to build a lead in the first half off of Salem turnovers and hold onto it. We will have to shoot better moving forward to be successful.” ~ Coach Rissler
The Junior Varsity Lady Wildcats took down the Salem Lady Tigers 30-7 to kick off the Big Cat Classic.
Photos by Shari Harris
Varsity Boys defeat Salem
Photo by Shari Harris
Roston Stockard led scoring for the Wildcats with 31 points.
By Coach Phillip Gambill
The Licking Wildcats opened their season on the road at Salem for the annual Big Cat Classic.
The Wildcats jumped on Salem early and built a 17-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Salem fought back and trailed only by two, 28-26 at halftime.
The Wildcats outscored the Tigers 21-14 in the third period, and enjoyed a 49-40 lead at the end of three. But the Tigers fought back again and outscored the Wildcats 21-12 in the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime for the second consecutive season.
Overtime saw the Wildcats outscoring the Tigers 11-8, as Roston Stockard hit a 3-pointer with just two seconds left in overtime. The Wildcats took the victory 72-69.
Roston Stockard led all scorers with 31; Nate Gambill and Jordan Ritz both added 12 apiece, and Benton Corley connected for 8 points for the Wildcats. Other Wildcat scorers included Kannon Buckner and Karson Walker with 3 points apiece, Carter Sullins with 2 points, and Kale Cook with 1 point.
“I was proud of our guys for their fight on the road. It was a great atmosphere and a great way to start the season. We executed well offensively and got defensive stops when we needed them. We played well together, and each player contributed within their roles in the victory.” ~ Coach Gambill.
Assistant Coach Chris Harris commented on the Junior Varsity game, which Licking lost 22-39. Conway Adey led the JV team in scoring, with 10 points.
“We struggled to score during the first half and were never able to overcome that deficit. We continued to work hard throughout the game and got within 13 points in the fourth quarter. Our defense played well and will continue to get better.” ~ Coach Harris
Photos by Shari Harris
