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GOING UP — Malachi Myles (5) shoots for two during the Wildcats' playoff game against Pinkston Tuesday. Myles accounted for six points in the Wildcats' 63-52 victory. Photo by DJ Spencer -
RUNNING OFFENSE — Branson Lynn (2) prepares to run the offense during the Wildcats' game against Pinkston Tuesday. Lynn scored a team-high 16 points in the Wildcats' 63-52 victory. Photo by DJ Spencer
Punch ticket to Regional Tourney
HEATH — The No. 10 Sulphur Springs Wildcats exacted revenge on the No. 6 Pinkston Vikings Tuesday night in their Regional Quarterfinal playoff game at Rockwall-Heath High School. After falling to Pinkston 80-71 just before starting district this season, the Wildcats flipped the script and took down the Vikings, winning 63-52 and punching their ticket to the Regional Tournament.
The first quarter would see the Wildcats strike first with two-pointers from Malachi Myles and Parker Whisenhunt, giving them a 4-0 lead. After a Vikings two-pointer, Kordrick Turner would score on a two-pointer, raising the Wildcats’ lead to 6-2.
The Vikings would then score eight straight points on four two-pointers to pull ahead 10-6. After that, the Wildcats responded with 12 straight points on a two-pointer from Turner, a three-pointer from Cole Theofiledes, a two-pointer from Whisenhunt, and a three-pointer and two-pointer from Branson Lynn. This would bring the first quarter to a close, with the Wildcats on top 18-10.
The second quarter opened up with two-pointers from Theofiledes and Turner, raising the Wildcats’ lead to 22-10. After a pair of free throws from the Vikings, Turner would make a two-pointer and free throw, raising the score to 25-12.
Following a pair of two-pointers from the Vikings, Turner made another two-pointer. After another Vikings two-pointer, the Wildcats scored seven straight points on a pair of two-pointers from Lynn and a three-pointer from Theo McKelvey, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 34-18.
After a two-pointer and three-pointer for the Vikings, Lynn would make a pair of free throws. The Vikings would close out the second quarter with a two-pointer, bringing the score to 36-25 going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Vikings kicked off the third quarter with a two-pointer. This was followed by a pair of free throws from Theofiledes, bringing the score to 3827.
After a free throw and two-pointer for the Vikings, Myles made a two-pointer. This was followed by five straight points from the Vikings, bringing the score to 4035.
The Wildcats would respond with six straight points on a pair of free throws and a three-pointer from Whisenhunt and a free throw from Lynn, raising their lead to 46-35. After a Vikings two-pointer, the Wildcats closed out the third quarter with a two-pointer from Whisenhunt, extending their lead to 48-37 as the third quarter expired.
The fourth quarter would begin with Turner making a pair of two-pointers. This was followed by six straight points for the Vikings, trimming the score to 5243.
The Wildcats scored again on a two-pointer from Whisenhunt and a three-pointer from Theofiledes. After a Vikings three-pointer, the Wildcats scored again on a two-pointer from Myles and a pair of free throws from Lynn, extending their lead to 61-46.
After a free throw and two-pointer for the Vikings, the Wildcats added a pair of free throws from Lynn. The Vikings would then add three more points, but it wasn’t enough, as the Wildcats capped off a 63-52 victory.
Lynn finished as the Wildcats’ leading scorer with 16 points. Right behind him was Turner with 15.
Also scoring in the double-digits were Whisenhunt with 13 and Theofiledes with 10. Rounding out the scoring was Myles with six and McKelvey with three.
With the win, the Wildcats are up to 31-7 on the season. They also advanced to the Regional Tournament for the first time since 2019.
The Wildcats will face off against the No. 1 Faith Family Eagles in the Regional Semifinals. The game will be Friday, 6 p.m. at the Texas A&M University- Commerce Field House.