Wildcats win district after beating Dickson

The Madill Wildcat advanced in the playoffs by defeating Dickson 60-44 on February 17. Madill hosted Dickson in the district playoffs, looking to advance to the next round. The Wildcats got off to a good start with solid play from JD Runyon and Ethan Wilkerson and finished the first quarter with a 17-9 lead.

Dickson stayed within striking distance throughout the second quarter, but made a run and cut the Wildcat lead to three points with three and a half minutes left in the half. Dickson then tied the game at 23 apiece with just under three players at the half. Wilkinson hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats the lead once again with about two minutes left.

Tempers flared a bit late in the second quarter, resulting in a double fault. Wilkinson by Madill and J.J. Williams for Dickson were charged with violations. However, Williams received a technical foul that put Wilkinson on the line. Madill went into intermission up 27-25 after Dickson closed the half with strong defense.

The second half was defined by aggressive pressure defense from Dickson, but to no avail as Madill regained their lead and kept Dickson at bay. Madill's big man Wilkerson began to heat up as he moved into another big night. The Wildcats led 43-34 at the end of the third quarter.

Dickson continued to play very aggressive defense in the fourth, but his pressure led to fouls that put the Wildcats on the foul line several times in the fourth quarter. Wilkerson finished with a game-high 29 points and 18 rebounds, including 15-of-16 from the charity stripe. Madill defeated Dickson 60-44 and earned the right to play in the next round against Checotah. Checotah is coming off back-to-back losses and Madill hopes to get back into rhythm again and make a deep playoff run.