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Madill senior guard Wyatt Gray (2) ponders a shot as a Muldrow player watches in their game Feb. 28. Tony McSwain • The Madill Record
SHAWNEE – The Madill Wildcats played their hearts out, but couldn’t match the fourth quarter scoring of the Muldrow Bulldogs as they lost their second game of the Regional Competition at North Rock Creek High School, 45-37. It was a tough outcome to deal with for the Wildcat faithful because Madill had a lead at the half and then were behind by only two points at the end of the third quarter.
“Muldrow executed very well and they controlled the tempo for most of the game,” said Madill Head Coach Brett Weiberg. “The big difference was that they made shots at the end of the game and we didn’t.”
The first quarter was low scoring for both teams with Madill scoring eight points to Muldrow’s six. Aron Vann hit a 3-pointer, Asa Robertson made a nifty layup, Miguel Duran hit a layup and Wyatt Gray made a free throw for the Madill scoring in the quarter. In the beginning, Madill had a little trouble dealing with the Muldrow full-court press, but solved it by the second quarter.
Both teams scored 12 in the second quarter as Duran came up big hitting two 3-pointers and two other buckets for 10 points. Ezekiel Fuentes hit two free throws to round out the scoring in the second quarter.
Duran continued his hot shooting with two more 3-pointers and another short jumper for eight points in the third quarter. Gray was the only other scorer in the quarter with one short range bucket.
In the fourth quarter, whenever Madill would score, Muldrow would answer. Muldrow built up a 41-35 lead with two minutes to go in regulation.
Asa Robertson hit a layup with 1:57 left in the game and Madill went scoreless after that. Muldrow made five of seven free throws going down the stretch and Madill couldn’t buy a bucket. Fuentes hit a 3-pointer early in the quarter and Gray hit two free throws for Madill’s other scoring in the quarter. Muldrow double-teamed Duran and held him scoreless in the quarter. Duran would finish with a game-high 20 points.
“We finished 19-7 for the season which is a big improvement over last year’s record of 9-15,” said Weiberg. “I am super proud of the kids. They played hard the entire season.”
Analysis: Madill won the final eight games of the regular season going into the playoffs this year.
Last year they lost five of the final seven games at the end of the regular season.
This year, after losing a tough game to Tecumseh in the District tournament, they won the first game in the regional tournament.
Last year the Wildcats went 0-2 in the post season. Based on the end of season game records, it’s a good trend to take into next season.