Licking Wildcat Basketball wins at Houston
By Coach Phillip Gambill
LICKING 87, HOUSTON 66
HOUSTON, Mo. – On Friday, January 3, the Wildcats traveled to Houston to play the first game of the new year.
The Wildcats came out strong, leading the Tigers 20-6 at the end of the first quarter. Licking kept up the pace as they outscored Houston in the second quarter 22-11 to take a 44-17 lead to halftime.
The Wildcats protected their lead in the second half, finishing with an 87-66 victory.
The Wildcats moved to 10-3 on the season and 2-1 in the conference.
The JV Wildcats also came away with a victory, 56-43.
LICKING 64, PLATO 53
CABOOL, Mo. – Over the holiday break, Licking traveled to Cabool to play in the Cabool Christmas Tournament. The Wildcats played four games in five days.
Game one featured a rematch between our Wildcats and Plato. The Wildcats got off to a slow start but finished the first half strong. Licking found its groove in the second half as the Wildcats rolled to a 64-53 victory and advanced to the Tournament Bracket.
LIBERTY-MTN. VIEW 73, LICKING 59
CABOOL, Mo. – In game two, the Wildcats faced the Liberty Eagles.
The Wildcats got off to a slow start again, trailing 23-8 after the first quarter. Licking fought back in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles 18-7, and closing the gap to four going into halftime.
During the second half the Wildcats went back and forth with the Eagles until late in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats fell 73-59.
LICKING 70, MANSFIELD 67
CABOOL, Mo. – In game three, Licking took on a tough Mansfield Lions team.
The Wildcats were down 20-17 at the end of the first quarter, and at halftime they were down 44-28 and facing elimination.
Licking came out strong after halftime, outscoring the Lions 22-12 in the third quarter. The Wildcats didn’t stop there as they took that energy into the fourth quarter and outscored the Lions 20-11, leading to a 70-67 victory for the Wildcats and on to the next round.
LICKING 64, SALEM 53
CABOOL, Mo. – In game four, Licking played Salem for a second time this season.
The Wildcats and Tigers matched baskets throughout the first quarter, and Licking trailed 13-14 at the end of it. After a slow second quarter, Licking continued to trail, 24-28, at the half.
The Wildcats came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 15-13 to close the gap to 39-41 going into the final quarter. Licking finished strong in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Tigers 26-12 and moved on to the victory, 64-53.
The Wildcats finished with a 3-1 record in the tournament and had one player chosen to the All-Tournament Team. Roston Stockard received All-Tournament Team for the second consecutive year.
“I was very proud of our guys for a 3-1 finish in the tournament. Playing four games in five days is tough. It is difficult to properly prepare for opponents when playing daily, but our guys stepped up and did a great job.” ~ Coach Gambill
