-
Ethan Wilkerson at tipoff against the Atoka Wampus Cats on January 28. Leslie Mowles • The Madill Record
The Madill Wildcats hosted theAtokaWampusCatson January 28. The fast-paced game kept the score close for a double overtime win on homecoming for the Madill Wildcats. The team held it close with high scoring leaders like Ethan Wilkerson hitting his 1500-point career goal during the second half of the game.
The Wildcats started senior RJ Morris, junior Ethan Wilkerson, junior Brylan James,juniorJDRunyanand sophomore Gilberto Grimaldo. The Wildcats kept pace with the Wampus Cats with defensive player Stephen Sisco picking up two fouls in the first period. Morris scored two, Grimaldo had two and Wilkerson had seven points to trail behind the Wampus Cats 11-15 at the end of the first period.
In the second period, WilkersonandMorrisstarted putting points on the board to try and get a lead against the Wampus Cats. At the end of the second period, Wilkerson had 14 total points, Morris had five, Andrew Ray had three, Grimaldo had two, bringing the score 24-27 in favor of the Wampus Cats. With Sisco picking up his third foul of the night, the Wildcats weren't letting up on defense.
At the start of the third period, Morris ripped a threepoint shot to tie it up 27-27. The Wampus Cats were battling back bucket after bucket but Wilkerson and Morris both picked up buckets to keep the score close with 2:51 left on the clock.
Atoka tried to shut down Wilkerson and fouled. Madill took the lead at the foul line when Wilkerson made both shots to bring the score to 36-35. Atoka was grasping to make a shot and tied it up 3636 with 2:11 left on the clock.
Greg Padgett made a three-point shot just in time to take the lead going into the fourth period 39-38. Top scoring players of the quarter were Morris with 10 points and Wilkerson at 21 points making Wilkerson's 1500 career point goal crushed at the start of the fourth period.
In the fourth period, the game was fast and intense as both teams battled for the lead. Morris picked up two more fouls making it a total of three and James picked up his third trying to defend against the Wampus Cats.
With three minutes left on the clock, the Wildcats were behind by two. The Wampus Cats became too aggressive and fouled Wilkerson again making him go to the foul line. Wilkerson wasgoodfortwobringingthe score to a tie game of 48-48. The Wampus Cats tried an inbound pass play to try to get a buzzer beater but fell short causing the game to go into overtime.
In overtime, the Wampus Cats came right out and scored four buckets quickly to try and get an early lead. Morris came back with two points to keep it close with only 35 seconds left in the game.
Atoka got frustrated and tipped it out of bounds, flipping the ball the Wildcats' way. Morris had the assist to Wilkerson for two points and tied it up 52-52 for double overtime keeping the Wildcats in the game.
Indoubleovertime,Atoka started to foul and had many turnovers while the Wildcats took full advantage of their discomfort. James was good for one at the foul line bringing the score up to 5855 with 21 seconds left on the clock.
Atoka again fouled which put Morris on the foul line which was good for two. The final score in favor of Madill 60-55 in double overtime. Morris had a total of 21 points the entire game and Wilkerson had 25.