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Sulphur Springs guard Boo Wilkerson draws a foul early in the Wildcats overtime loss to Mount Peasant Tuesday. Wilkerson posted a team-high 13 points, and knocked down three 3-pointers. Staff photo by Tyler Lennon
2nd straight buzzer beater loss
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats hosted the Mount Pleasant Tigers Tuesday, looking to get back in the win column after a buzzer beater loss to Longview their last time out. The Wildcats had their hands full, as Mount Pleasant entered the day with a 15-0 record, and were the No. 14 team in the state according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings.
Senior guard Boo Wilkerson got the offense started for Sulphur Springs, making a pair of free throws midway through the frame for their first points of the night. In a very low scoring quarter, Wilkerson made another pair of free throws with just .2 seconds left in the frame to tie the game at 8-8.
Wilkerson kept his hot hand going, knocking down a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the second quarter. Unfortunately those were the only points Sulphur Springs could find in the frame, and they went to the locker room trailing 15-11.
Wilkerson once again tried to ignite the Wildcats offense, starting the second half with another 3-pointer. Later in the frame junior Justin Haire made a pair of hook shots to tie the game back up at 19-19. In the final minute of the quarter Haire scored again, this time after grabbing an offensive rebound, and Sulphur Springs stayed within one score, trailing 25-23 entering the fourth quarter.
Early in the final frame, Caleb Alexander brought a huge spark, nailing a pair of 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to put the Wildcats up 31-27. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Mount Pleasant went on an 11-1 run to take a 38- 32 lead with just 2:28 remaining.
Sulphur Springs fought back, getting back within two points when Wilkerson knocked down his third 3-pointer of the night. With just 19 seconds left, the Wildcats got the ball back with a chance to tie, and with time winding down Alexander drove the lane, making a difficult shot in the lane as time expired to force overtime.
Haire scored the first points of overtime, making a pair of free throws in the opening minute, but Mount Pleasant answered back tying the game up with 1:57 left. With 12.7 seconds remaining, Mount Pleasant drew up a play, using the rest of the clock and draining a 3-pointer as time expired, to win the game by a final score of 44-41.
The loss makes the second straight for Sulphur Springs, and their second consecutive loss on which they lost by a buzzer beater. Despite the back-to-back losses, the Wildcats still have a record of 11-8 and 2-2 in district play.
Wilkerson was the leading scorer for Sulphur Springs, scoring 13 points and knocking down three 3-pointers. Haire and Alexander were right behind him with 12 points apiece. All of Haire’s points came during the second or overtime.
Other scorers for the Wildcats were Kordrick Turner with three points and Lamodrick Johnson with one point. Sulphur Springs returns home Tuesday to host Marshall at 8 p.m. The Wildcats beat Marshall in their first matchup by a final score of 68-48.