ALTHA, FEBRUARY 8—The Wildcats began district tournament play last Monday in fine fashion. They defeated the Munroe Bobcats, 48-36, in the quarter regional round.
At halftime Altha (7-11; 5-6, Class 1A District 2) enjoyed a 21-9 lead and the Wildcats extended that lead 32-18 after three quarters of play.
Will Rogers was the offensive leader for the Wildcats with 16 points (including 2 3-pointers and 8 of 9 free throws). He also had 2 assists, blocked his first shot attempt of the season and he grabbed a rebound. Tyler Hamilton knocked down 14 points, led the Wildcats with 6 rebounds as well as 4 steals and he had an assist.
Ethan Ellis, Jacob Warner and Anthony Young all added 5 points apiece. Warner also matched his jersey number by pulling down 5 rebounds. He had an assist and swatted away a shot attempt. Young sank a 3-pointer to begin the game, cleared a career-high 4 rebounds along with 3 steals and he had an assist. Ellis grabbed 2 rebounds, nabbed a steal and recorded an assist. Carl Mantecon added a field goal and had a rebound. Brett Floyd rounded out the scoring by making good on one of his two free throw attempts.
TALLAHASSEE, FEBRUARY 9--Missed lay-ups and shots from point blank range in the second quarter of last Tuesday night’s semifinal district tournament game at John Paul II kept the Wildcats (7-12; 5-7, Class 1A District 2) from a possible upset bid of the top-seeded Malone Tigers.
Down by only a point, 14-13, after the first quarter, the Wildcats netted only 2 of 8 field goals in the second quarter for a total of 4 points and they were 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. Conversely, Malone sank 4-of-5 field goals to take a 30-17 lead into the locker room and they ended the Wildcats’ season with a 61-46 win.
Tyler Hamilton led the offensive charge for the Wildcats with a 21-point effort along with 5 rebounds and a steal. Will Rogers racked up 15 points (including 3 3-pointers). He had 2 assists and grabbed a rebound.
Jacob Warner sank 7 points pulled down a rebound and nabbed a steal. Ethan Ellis ended his basketball career by contributing 3 points as well as 2 assists, a rebound and a steal.
The Wildcats hope only the best for their four seniors: Ethan Ellis, Brett Floyd, Carl Mantecon and Terry Wyllie. With four varsity starters returning next year, Altha fans are already anticipating next season.
