Wildcats split in two conference games

By Coach Phillip Gambill

LICKING 52, CROCKER 62

CROCKER, Mo. – On Tuesday, December 17, the Wildcats traveled to Crocker for the first of two conference games that week.

The Wildcats came out strong, scoring ten in the opening quarter. Licking was outscored 22-10 in the second quarter and trailed 35-20 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Wildcats matched the Lions 14-14, and trailing 48-34 going into the final quarter. Despite outsourcing the Lions in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats came up short, 62-52.

Roston Stockard finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds, Jordan Ritz had 10 points with 7 rebounds, Karson Walker scored 7, Nate Gambill and Kale Cook scored 3 apiece, Carter Sullins also had 3 points and had 5 rebounds, and Kannon Buckner added 2 points.

The Wildcats fell to 5-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.

LICKING 97, LAQUEY 67

LICKING, Mo. – On Friday, the Wildcats hosted the Laquey Hornets in conference play.

The Wildcats came out scoring 21 in the first quarter, to lead the Hornets 21-11. Licking scored 17 in the second quarter to take a 38-27 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats stayed strong in the third quarter, again outscoring the Hornets, 23-20. They continued to build their lead in the 4th quarter, outscoring Laquey 32-18 to finish the game with a 97-67 victory.

Ritz led scoring with 34 points and had 8 rebounds, Gambill followed with 16 points and 8 rebounds, Buckner connected for 11 points and had 9 rebounds and 5 assists, Stockard also scored in double figures with 11 and 9 rebounds, Sullins had 9 points with 5 assists, Walker added 5 with 5 assists, Titus Scavone had 5, and Kohen Blankenship, Josh Wade and Kale Cook each scored 2.

The Licking Wildcats improved to 6-2 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.