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Sulphur Springs senior Lamodrick Johnson goes for a layup in the Wildcats 74-68 win over Texas High Friday. Johnson finished the game with 12 points, as well as a handful of assists to help lead the Wildcats in the six-point win. Staff photo by Tyler Lennon
Haire, Turner combine for 35 points
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats hosted Texas High Friday for both their senior night and their regular season finale. Entering the game with a district record of 8-3, a win would secure second place in the final district standings.
The Wildcats opened the game by playing from behind in the opening minutes, taking their first lead of the game when junior Justin Haire scored after grabbing an offensive rebound to make the score 8-7. Sophomore Kordrick Turner followed with a basket underneath the goal and then found Haire for another basket to push the lead to 13-7.
After allowing a strong run to Texas High, senior Malique Cole knocked down a 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining in the opening frame to once again take the lead at 17-15. Sulphur Springs closed out the frame with a pair of free throws from senior Boo Wilkerson and took a 21-18 lead into the second quarter.
Senior Lamodrick Johnson got the scoring started for the Wildcats in the second quarter by knocking down one of two free throws. Johnson orchestrated the offense in the second frame, scoring five points while also dishing out three assists in the quarter. The two teams traded buckets the entire quarter and entered the locker room with the game tied at 40-40.
Haire and Turner set the tone, coming out of the locker room and scoring the first two baskets of the second half, both in the paint. The two big men for the Wildcats scored eight of the 16 third quarter points for Sulphur Springs. Despite letting up a 3-pointer in the closing second, the Wildcats took a 56-55 lead into the fourth quarter.
Neither team was able to gain an advantage on the other, with the game being tied entering the final two minutes of regulation. Wilkerson scored on a pair of offensive putbacks on back-to-back possessions, giving the Wildcats a 68-65 lead with 1:14 left. The lead was just enough for Sulphur Springs, as they held on and won the game by a final score of 74-68.
Haire and Turner were the leading scorers for the Wildcats, finishing with 19 points and 17 points respectively. Also finishing in double-digits were Johnson and Wilkerson. Johnson ended the night with 12 points while Wilkerson had 11 points.
Other scorers for Sulphur Springs were Cole who had nine points and Caleb Alexander and Jatavion Hall who each had three points. The win makes the Wildcats 17-9 on the season and 9-3 in district play, securing their second place finish. Updates on the Wildcats playoff schedule will be published in upcoming editions of the News-Telegram.