Wildcats advance to Area round with win

HALLSVILLE- The Sulphur Springs Wildcats traveled to Hallsville Monday to face Jacksonville in the opening round of the playoffs.

Sulphur Springs got off to a quick start, scoring the first few points of the game. The Wildcats never gave their lead back up, leading 16-10 at the end of the first frame.

Jacksonville opened the second quarter with a 5-0 run that got the game as close as 16-15. Sulphur Springs coach Clark Cipoletta called a timeout so his team could regroup and they did, finishing out the quarter strong and leading 23-19 at the end of the first half.

The Wildcats were able to build their lead to 27-19 before Jacksonville cut the deficit back down to three points as 27-24. Sulphur Springs created a bit of space in the frame, building leads of 33-26 and 39- 31 before Jacksonville cut it to 42-36 heading into the final frame.

The Wildcats opened the fourth quarter with a ton of momentum, quickly building a double-digit lead, leading by as much as 55-42 early in the frame. Jacksonville was able to get back into the game, getting within five points, but Sulphur Springs was able to hold off and pull out the win, 59-51.

Junior Justin Haire led the way, finishing with a game-high 18 points. Two other Wildcats finished in double-digits, as seniors Boo Wilkerson and Lamodrick Johnson provided 12 points and 11 points respectively.

Sophomore Kordrick Turner wasn’t far behind with eight points of his own. Other scorers for Sulphur Springs were Malique Cole and Caleb Alexander who each had four points. Cason Arrington also had two points.

The win advances the Wildcats to the Area round of the playoffs where they will take on the winner of Forney and Midlothian. Coverage of that game will be published in upcoming editions of the News-Telegram. No details were available as of press time Tuesday.