Wildcats continue winning streak

Madill traveled to Comanche to play the Comanche Indians on Tuesday, January 25. The Lady Wildcats took to the court first, and they struggled from tip off to keep the fast pace of the Lady Indians. Head Coach Shawn Runyan said the girls struggled early in the game.

"We came out flat to start the game,” said Runyan. “You can’t give up 19 points in the first quarter especially against a team that good.”

Comanche led the game 29 to 15 at halftime. Senior Jayden Weiberg led the Lady Wildcats with nine points (llpoints total) in the first half. Senior Braylee Schneider played strong for the Lady Cats in the second half, leading in scoring with 11 points (15 points total).

Even though the girls brought their A-game in the second half, it wasn’t enough to take down the Lady Indians. Comanche outscored Madill 58 to 42 to win the game.

“We played better in the second half,” said Runyan.

The Wildcats took to the court next and fared better than the girls. The boys claimed their tenth straight win, beating the Indians 48 to 44. With a slow first half, seniors Nick Northcutt and Kendall Robertson led in first half scoring with four points each. Head Coach Brett Weiberg said they used this game as a teaching point.

“It was an interesting game,” said Weiberg. “There was certainly some adversity, and we have to continue to grow and mature when adversity hits.”

Madill trailed the Indians 13 to 22 at halftime. The Wildcats focused in the second half and senior Ezekiel Fuentes led the Wildcats in total points scored with 14 points.

“We had to go to our trap game the second half and that made the difference,” said Weiberg. “Comanche turned the ball over and then we were fortunate that they missed some open shots.” Robertson added eight more points in the second half and junior RJ Morris contributed nine points. Weiberg said the boys played full throttle to come in with a win.

"Our kids did not quit and were able to make plays and make free throws down the stretch,” said Weiberg. “Always good to win a conference game on the road.”

On Friday, January 28, Madill hosted the Sulphur Bulldogs for Homecoming and honored senior Jayden Weiberg for achieving 1,000 career point. Wieberg surpassed 2007 Madill graduate three-point record holder, Meagan Carter Rose. Rose had 144 3-pointers scored and Weiberg started the evening with 178 3-pointers scored.

“It is an awesome thing to coach a great young lady like Jayden,” Runyan said. “She is truly a great person on and off the court. She has worked really hard to achieve 1,000 points. From being boxed in and double teamed every night, and then to break the three-point record is awesome.”

With a little over a minute shaved off the clock in the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs put a two-point jump shot on the board and drew a foul, adding one free throw. Sulphur would add another two-point jump shot, and then another two-point jump shot and drew another foul, adding one free throw.

Senior Braylee Schneider was fouled and made one free throw. The Lady Bulldogs led 8 to 1 with 4:43 remaining in the quarter.

Sulphur took charge adding six more consecutive twopoint jump shots to lead 14 to 1 at the end of the quarter. Runyan said the girls had a slow start.

“We started very slow in the first quarter, one point is never good,” said Runyan.

Weiberg added a two-point jump shot with 30 seconds in to the second quarter. Sulphur was fouled and added one free throw point. Weiberg swished two consecutive three-pointers. With 4:52 left in the first half, Ma dill trailed 15 to 9. Weiberg drew a foul on the next play and added two free throw points. Sophomore Hannah Elkins popped a three-pointer. The Lady Wildcats closed the gap, trailing 15 to 14 with 2:18 remaining.

However, the Lady Bulldogs took control of the court adding nine points to close the first half with Madill trailing 24 to 14. The second half st arted with Weiberg being fouled and added two free throw points. Weiberg then added a two-point jump shot. The Lady Bulldogs put on the heat adding 11 points back-to-back with 2:14 to go in the quarter. Senior Joslyn Stumblingbear swish ed a three-pointer. Sulphur added another two-point jump shot. Schneider added two points and fouled with one free throw. The Lady Bulldogs were fouled and made two free throws. Weiberg swooshed a three-pointer to close the quarter with Madill trailing 27 to 41.

The fourth quarter brought grit for the Lady Wildcats as Sulphur added two free throw points and a three-pointer to the board. Weiberg added another three-pointer. Sulphur got a two-point jump shot. Weiberg answered back with a two-point jump shot. Sulphur was fouled and made both free throws. Schneider added two more points to the board.

Weiberg was fouled and made one free throw. Sulphur added another two-point jump shot. Senior Abbie Lambertsen made a two-point jump shot. The Lady Bulldogs were fouled and made one free throw.

Weiberg popped a threepointer and drew a foul to add one free throw point. With 1:20 left in the game, sophomore Allyson Knight was fouled and made two free throw points. Sulphur was fouled and added one free throw point to win the game 54 to 43.

Riding the high from their winning streak, the Wildcats faced the Sulphur Bulldogs. The Bulldogs got a two-point jump shot to start the game. Robertson added a two-point jump shot. Fuentes was fouled and made one free throw.

Fuentes then swished a three-pointer. The Bulldogs answered and added another two-point jump shot. Morris made two consecutive three-pointers to close the first quarter with the Wildcats leading 12 to 4. With 54 seconds shaved off the clock to start the second quarter, Northcutt put up a two-point jump shot. Sulphur was fouled and made one free throw. Weiberg said the boys started off doing well.

“We started off with getting some great defensive stops and getting good looks in and out,” said Weiberg. “When you get some stops, and you make some shots it makes any team hard to beat.” Sophomore Brylan James swished a three=pointer. Sulphur made a two-point shot. Fuentes was fouled and added two free throw points.

The Bulldogs were fouled and added two free throws. Morris made a two-point jump shot. Sulphur was fouled and made one free throw. Northcutt was fouled and made one free throw.

Senior Javier Gomez was fouled and added a free-throw point. Sulphur was fouled and made two free throws to close the first halftrailing the Wildcats 23 to 12.

With a little over a minute off the third quarter, Fuentes made a two-point shot. Robertson popped a three-pointer. The Bulldogs got a two-point shot. Robertson popped another threepointer. The Bulldogs made a two-point jump shot.

Northcutt answered with a two-point shot. The Bulldogs made a two-point bucket and drew a foul, adding one free throw point. With 3:20 to go, Madill led the Bulldogs 35 to 19. Fuentes made a two-point shot. Sulphur was fouled adding two free-throw points.

Fuentes was then fouled adding two free throw points. Fuentes then got a two-point jump shot. The Bulldogs were fouled and added one free throw point, closing the quarter trailing the Wildcats 39 to 22. Junior River Shaw was fouled to start the fourth quarter and made both fr ee throws. Weiberg said he is pleased at how the boys performed.

"I thought Nick North-cutt was the anchor of our defense,” Weiberg said. “Ezekial continues to play well. RJ did a very good job of running our team from the point guard position and really overall I’m pleased with our effort.”

Sulphur made a two-point bucket and was fouled adding two free throw points. Shaw got a two-point jump shot to increase the Wildcat’s lead 43 to 26. Sulphur would gain momentum and add seven consecutive points.

Fuentes was fouled and added two free-throw points. The Bulldogs added a twopoint jump shot. Fuentes was fouled and made both free throws. Madill won the game 47 to 35.

“We really appreciate the students and the fans coming out and showing their support,” said Weiberg.

Madill traveled to Atoka on Saturday, January 29, to play the Wampus Cats. The Lady Wildcats won their game 44 to 32. Weiberg led in scoring with 16 total points; Lambertsen had seven total points; and Hannah and Hay lee Elkins had five points each.

“We had a rough third quarter, only scoring three points,” Runyan said. “Hoping we can put four good quarters together.” The Wildcats won their game too, 59 to 45. Fuentes had 27 total points; Morris had nine total points and Robertson had seven total points.

The third quarter felt like a tennis match with Fuentes swishing a three-pointer. Roff got a two-point jump shot, then Northcutt with a two-point jump shot. The Tigers added three points.

Senior Kendall Robertson got a three-point swisher. Roff was fouled and added one free throw point. Robertson swished another three-pointer. Roff added a two-point jump shot.

Junior RJ Morris replied with a two-point jump shot. The Tigers were fouled and made one free throw. Fuentes made a two-point jump shot. Then, Roff got a two-point jump shot.

Morris made another two-point jump shot. Roff got two points and a foul for one free throw. With 34 seconds left, Fuentes added another two-point jump shot, keeping Madill in the lead 36 to 30.

The Tigers were fouled to start off the fourth quarter and made both free throws. Morris answered back with a two-point jump shot. Northcutt added a two-point jump shot. Morris answered back with two consecutive twopoint jump shots. Roff added another two points and was fouled for two free throws. Roff answered again with a three-pointer. Northcutt added a two-point jump shot. Roff then bounced a two-point jump shot. Fuentes was fouled and added two free throws. With 3.7 seconds left in the game, Fuentes was fouled again and put two more free throw points on the board. The Wildcats win, 50 to 41.

Madill then traveled to Atoka to play in the Warnpus Cat Classic. The Lady Wildcats played against the Durant Lady Lions JV on Thursday, winning 71 to 27. Senior Jayden Weiberg led Madill in scoring with 20 points; sophomore Allyson Knigh t and junior Aubrie Cantrell had 10 points each ; sophomore Korlee Cunningham-Martin andsenior Lydia Landgr af each had eight points. Runyan said it is all a matter of confidence for the girls.

“Hopefully we can get rolling and keep rolling in this later half of the season,” said Runyan. "It's a confidence thing getting to see some shots go in, and we got to do that.”

The Wildcats played the Atoka Wampus Cats, winning 51 to 40. Fuentes led the team in scoring with 19 points; Robertson had nine points; and Northcutt and Morris had seven points each.

Friday, the Lady Cats played the Idabel Lady Warriors, where Madill lost 63 to 30.

“Idabel is a real good team,” Runyan said. “Offensively, we did ok in the first half, but terrible in the second half. Defensively, we struggled keeping Idabel off the boards.”

Weiberg led the Lady Wildcats with 17 points; Senior Abbie Lambertsen had five points; and Knight had four points.

The Wildcats played the Latta Panthers and took the win, 27 to 22. Fuentes led in scoring with 14 points and Morris with eight points.

Saturday, the Lady Wildcats played for third place against the Broken Bow Lady Savages. Ma dill won the game 53 to 32. Runyan said the girls really played hard.

“Saturday was better. We played a lot better in the second half,” Runyan said. “Our defense led to a lot of good buckets which helped getting the offense going. The girls were tired, and they kept playing.” Weiberg led in scoring with 18 points; senior Braylee Schneider had 12 points; and Knight had nine points. Weiberg and Knight both made All-Tournament team. Weiberg also hit 1,000 points scored in a career in Saturday’s game.

The Wildcats played for the Championship against the Kingston Redskins, winning 50 to 45. Fuentes led his team with 39 points. Fuentes was n amed MVP and Northcutt and Robertson made All-Tournament Team. Head Coach Weiberg said he was extremely proud of how the boys played.

“I thought we had a really good week last week,” Weiberg said. “The boys were able to win four games last week, including three in the Atoka Tournament. All three games in the Atoka Tournament games were tough for us. Our team showed real resiliency the whole week and were really able to compete at a high level,”

“Ezekial Fuentes was incredible in the championship game,” Weiberg continued. “He certainly had the hot hand, and I thought our team did a good job of getting in the basketball. I thought Nick Northcutt defending and rebounding and some key offensive basketball plays were big for us. Overall, I just felt like we played at a high level and really competed. I am super proud of our team.