Wildcats win season opener against Ripley on Friday night

Friday (Dec. 5), the Whiteoak Wildcats boys basketball team tipped off their 2025-26 season with a 58-26 win in Southern Hills Athletic Conference action against the host Ripley Blue Jays In Brown County. 

Whiteoak finished the night with double-figure scoring in each of the four quarters played, plus they were 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. WHS also totaled 31 rebounds (10 offensive), 12 assists, 17 steals, one block, and they committed 14 turnovers. 

As for Ripley, they finished with one quarter where they scored more than 10 points, plus they finished 1-of-4 from the free-throw line. The Blue Jays also collected 36 rebounds (12 offensive), four assists, eight steals and one block, plus they committed 24 turnovers. 

The Wildcats led 12-4 following the first quarter, and after winning the second frame at 16-7, the visiting Whiteoak squad led 28-11 at halftime. 

WHS outscored the Blue Jays 16-12 in the third frame, and in the fourth quarter Whiteoak dominated at 14-3 for the 32-point win. 

The ’Cats had three players with at least 10 points scored and were led by senior Sawyer Blair with 18 points, as he made two 3-pointers, plus he was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. In his scoring, he also added five two-point baskets. Blair also finished with five rebounds, two assists and six steals.

Lucas Pollard in his varsity debut as a freshman ended the game with 12 points, making two 3-pointers to go with three two-point baskets. He also added four rebounds, one assist and three steals. 

Jason Gaskins totaled 10 points with three two-point baskets, one 3-pointer and he was 1-of-1 from the free-throw line. The junior Gaskins also collected seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. 

Whiteoak also had nine points scored by senior Brady Brandenburg, who made three two pointers and was 3-of-6 in his free-throw attempts. He also collected eight rebounds and three steals. 

Finishing with seven points was Carson Hart. The sophomore made three two-point buckets, and was 1-of-2 from the free-throw line, and he also had four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Senior Zach Igo totaled two points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals in the WHS win. Junior Conner Dickey grabbed one rebound for Whiteoak. 

Ripley was led in the scoring column by Gavin Benjamin with 14 points, with the junior making four two-point baskets, two 3-pointers, and he added two steals and six rebounds. 

WHS also had scoring from Blake Fyffe (5), Brooklyn Jordan (2) and Kyler Williams (5).

BOX SCORE
WHS    12 16 16 14 — 58
RHS     04 07 12 03 — 26