Wildcats grab win vs. Naaman Forest

The No. 10 Sulphur Springs Wildcats continued their winning ways this season with an impressive 71-51 home win against the Naaman Forest Rangers. The Wildcats were never challenged during the game, as they grabbed the early lead and never relinquished control, leading to the win.

The first quarter began with the Wildcats grabbing a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of free throws from Kordrick Turner. Following a Rangers free throw, the Wildcats would score seven straight points: a two-pointer from Malachi Myles, a three-pointer from Cole Theofiledes, and a two-pointer from Branson Lynn, extending their lead to 9-1.

After the Rangers scored on a two-pointer, the Wildcats would add nine straight points on three two-pointers from Turner, Parker Whisenhunt, and Theofiledes and a three-pointer from Lynn, bringing the score to 18-3.

This would be followed by a three-pointer from the Rangers. After Lynn made another three-pointer, the Rangers closed out the quarter with a two-pointer, with the Wildcats on top 21-5 after one quarter.

The second quarter would start with the Wildcats scoring 10 straight points: a two-pointer from Macaulin Rollison, a two-pointer and free throw from Theo McKelvey, a two-pointer from Turner, then a three-pointer from McKelvey, raising the score to 31-5. After a two-pointer and free throw from the Rangers, Whisenhunt would make another two-pointer.

After another Rangers two-pointer, the Wildcats would score on a pair of field goals from Myles and Turner, brining the score to 37-13.

Following a Rangers three-pointer, Gavin White would drill a three pointer. This was followed by the Rangers closing out the quarter with a two-pointer, as the Wildcats now led 40-18 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Wildcats opened the third quarter with a three-pointer from Theofiledes and a two-pointer from Lynn, brining the score to 45-18.

Following three two-pointers and a free throw from the Rangers, the Wildcats scored five more points on a two-pointer from White and a two-pointer and free throw from Turner, raising the score to 50-27.

After a pair of free throws from the Rangers, Whisenhunt scored again on a two-pointer. This was followed by a Rangers three-pointer, then a Turner free throw, bringing the score to 53-30.

The Rangers would then end the quarter with a free throw and a three-pointer, bringing the score to 53-34 as the third quarter ended.

The fourth quarter would begin with the Wildcats scoring on a pair of two-pointer from McKelvey and Whisenhunt. Following a two-pointer from the Rangers, Turner would add a pair of two-pointers to bring the score to 61-36.

After a pair of free throws for the Rangers, the Wildcats added three points on a Whisenhunt two-pointer and McKelvey three-pointer. After another Rangers three-pointer, Turner made another two-pointer to increase the score to 66-41.

Following five straight Ranger points on a two-pointer and three free throws, DJ Wilkerson made a two-pointer, bringing the score to 6846. This was followed by another two-pointer for the Rangers.

Rollison would then add a free throw, then Lynn made two free throws. The Rangers would add another free throw and two-pointer afterwards, but those would be the last scores, as the Wildcats finished off a 71-51 victory.

Turner would finish as the Wildcats’ leading scorer with 18 points. Lynn wasn’t far behind with 12 points.

Whisenhunt also scored in the double-digits with 10 points. Rounding out the scoring was McKelvey with nine, Theofiledes with eight, Myles with six, Rollison and White with three each, and Wilkerson with two.

With the win, the Wildcats are up to 5-0 on the season. Their next game is set for Tuesday, when they travel to Garland to face off against the Lakeview Centennial Patriots.