Whiteoak gains ‘gritty’ win at Glenwood New Boston
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Whiteoak Wildcats earned their fourth win of the season, and second win over a two-day span, on Saturday evening as they went on the road to gain a non-conference win over the Glenwood New Boston Tigers, 63-57.
Coach Blake Kibler said of his team played “one of the grittiest games” he’s seen his team play.
Whiteoak (2-1, 4-1) trailed by a 8-5 score at the conclusion of the first quarter and by a 30-18 score at halftime as the Tigers outscored the Wildcats, 22-13 in the second frame. WHS came back with a 16-12 quarter in the third frame, and in the fourth, the Wildcats tallied 29 points, while their defense held New Boston to 15 points.
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“We played one of the grittiest games I think I have ever seen a team play. We got down, it got ugly on our end and we still found a way to win against a quality New Boston team,” WHS head coach Blake Kibler said. “We always preach to the kids, no matter what happens or what kind of hole we are in, to never, ever give up, to be relentless, and that’s what they did tonight.”
Whiteoak was led by junior Hunter Ruckel, who scored 28 points in the win, with 26 of those points coming in the second half. Ruckel also finished with six rebounds and five steals. His points came off eight two-point baskets and three 3-pointers. He was also 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.
“It all started when (Hunter) started finding his shot. It gave us energy. One of the big things for me was we had guys step up tonight when we needed them to,” Kibler said. “Ryan Roberts, who comes off the bench for us, late in the fourth quarter sacrificed his body, dove for the ball and we got the timeout.
“It was huge, and the next play we took the lead for the first time in the whole game. I’m so proud of these kids. It’s a good day to be a Wildcat.”
Also for the Wildcats, Zach Rand finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and one steal. He was followed with eight points from Brayden Yeager, as he also had six rebounds and one assist.
Deavin Cumberland totaled seven points, eight rebounds, one assist, two steals. Traeten Hamilton totaled six points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks. With two points each were Nate Frazer and Nick Bailey (two rebounds and one assist).
Next for the Wildcats is an away Southern Hills Athletic Conference game at Peebles on Friday, Dec. 21.
Coach Blake Kibler said of his team played “one of the grittiest games” he’s seen his team play.
Whiteoak (2-1, 4-1) trailed by a 8-5 score at the conclusion of the first quarter and by a 30-18 score at halftime as the Tigers outscored the Wildcats, 22-13 in the second frame. WHS came back with a 16-12 quarter in the third frame, and in the fourth, the Wildcats tallied 29 points, while their defense held New Boston to 15 points.
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“We played one of the grittiest games I think I have ever seen a team play. We got down, it got ugly on our end and we still found a way to win against a quality New Boston team,” WHS head coach Blake Kibler said. “We always preach to the kids, no matter what happens or what kind of hole we are in, to never, ever give up, to be relentless, and that’s what they did tonight.”
Whiteoak was led by junior Hunter Ruckel, who scored 28 points in the win, with 26 of those points coming in the second half. Ruckel also finished with six rebounds and five steals. His points came off eight two-point baskets and three 3-pointers. He was also 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.
“It all started when (Hunter) started finding his shot. It gave us energy. One of the big things for me was we had guys step up tonight when we needed them to,” Kibler said. “Ryan Roberts, who comes off the bench for us, late in the fourth quarter sacrificed his body, dove for the ball and we got the timeout.
“It was huge, and the next play we took the lead for the first time in the whole game. I’m so proud of these kids. It’s a good day to be a Wildcat.”
Also for the Wildcats, Zach Rand finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and one steal. He was followed with eight points from Brayden Yeager, as he also had six rebounds and one assist.
Deavin Cumberland totaled seven points, eight rebounds, one assist, two steals. Traeten Hamilton totaled six points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks. With two points each were Nate Frazer and Nick Bailey (two rebounds and one assist).
Next for the Wildcats is an away Southern Hills Athletic Conference game at Peebles on Friday, Dec. 21.