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Sulphur Springs senior Lamodrick Johnson attempts a 3-pointer early in Tuesday’s 60-46 win over Hallsville. Johnson ended with a game-high 20 points, scoring eight points in the second quarter alone. Staff photo by Tyler Lennon
Johnson has another 20-point game
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats hosted Hallsville Tuesday, looking to complete the series sweep against them. The Wildcats won the first meeting between the two teams, beating them 51-35 back on Jan. 8.
Senior Boo Wilkerson got the scoring started for the Wildcats, knocking down a floater for the first two points of the game. Wilkerson made another shot just like that later in the frame to push the Sulphur Springs lead to 11-4. Junior Justin Haire knocked down a pair of free throws in the final minute of the frame, and the Wildcats took a 15-8 lead entering the second quarter.
Wilkerson went right back to scoring in the second quarter, making a pair of free throws before knocking down a corner 3-pointer a few possessions later. Senior Lamodrick Johnson gave Sulphur Springs a ton of momentum when he made a shot while also drawing a foul with just one minute left in the half.
Johnson missed his free throw attempt, but got his own rebound and put it right back in, scoring four quick points. The Wildcats outscored Hallsville 11-10 in the frame and went to the locker room leading 26-18.
Wilkerson started the third quarter the same way he opened the first two quarters, by scoring first, this time by knocking down another 3-pointer. Johnson followed him by scoring on back-to-back possessions to give the Wildcats a 33-27 lead.
Midway through the third quarter Hallsville put together a run that got them as close as 33-30 before Sulphur Springs coach Clark Cipoletta called a timeout to regroup. The Wildcats finished the quarter on a strong run of their own and led 40-30 at the end of the frame.
Sulphur Springs continued their strong play in the fourth quarter, scoring another 20 points in the frame. Hallsville was only able to score 16 points of their own, and the Wildcats walked away with a 60-46 win.
Johnson was the leading scorer for Sulphur Springs, finishing with 20 points in the contest. Johnson came alive in the second quarter, scoring eight of his 20 points in that frame.
Wilkerson and Haire each finished in double-digits as well, scoring 12 points and 10 points respectively. Wilkerson knocked down two 3-pointers in the game, and six of Haire’s 10 points came in the opening quarter.
Junior Caleb Alexander and sophomore Kordrick Turner each had six points, while Malique Cole had three points, Jatavion Hall had two points and Cason Arrington had one point.
The win makes the fourth consecutive for the Wildcats who are now 15-8 on the season and 6-2 in district play, trailing only Mount Pleasant. Sulphur Springs is back on the road Tuesday at Mount Pleasant and will have their final regular season game at home Friday, Feb. 5 against Texas High. Both games are set to begin at 7:30 p.m.