District tournament is now underway Poplar Springs spoils Wildcats’ senior night

ALTHA, FEBRUARY 4 –Homemade baked turnovers (take your pick–apple, peach or cherry) are so good right out of the oven.But basketball turnovers are never good as the Junior Varsity Wildcats were reminded last Thursday night. They committed 11 turnovers after the first quarter that allowed the Poplar Springs Atomics to take home a 49-19 victory and ended the Junior Varsity’s season at 5-13.Kent Rogers led the Wildcats with 7 points (including a 3-pointer). Also, he had 2 assists and 2 steals on the night. Ryan Wood scored 6 points, pulled down a team-high 7 rebounds, tallied an assist, blocked a shot attempt and recorded a steal. Jeremy O’Bryan rang up 5 points (including a 3-pointer) and he snagged a rebound. Kyler Dew sank a free throw, collected 2 rebounds, and he swatted away a shot attempt.Five 3-pointers in the second half by Poplar Springs’ Anthony Addison spoiled the varsity Wildcats’ Senior Night to the tune of 58-49. Although the Atomics led throughout the contest, the Wildcats (6-12) pulled within one and two points several times but never could get over the hump.Ethan Ellis and Tyler Hamilton were co-leaders on the offensive ledger with 15 points apiece. Not only did Ellis knock down a 3-pointer but he was also credited with 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Hamilton did some major board work, yanking down 13 rebounds that gave him his first double-double of the season. He also led his team with 3 assists and 3 steals. Will Rogers canned 12 points (including 3 from beyond the arc) and he had 2 steals. Anthony Young netted a 3-pointer, picked up an assist and nabbed a steal. Brett Floyd rounded out the scoring by grabbing one of his 2 rebounds and banked it home for a 2 points.Monday night the second season began as the Wildcats hosted the Munroe Bobcats in the first round to the Class 1A, District 2 Tournament. Check out next week’s issue for game details.