Wildcats earn SHAC win over West Union; fall by 4 points to host CNE Rockets

It was a winning Saturday evening for the Whiteoak Wildcats as they gained a Southern Hills Athletic Conference win over the visiting West Union Dragons, 58-55 at Whiteoak High School. 

The Wildcats wasted no time gaining the lead as they earned the lead after the first frame by a 14-8 score. 

West Union responded with a 20-8 second quarter for a halftime score of 28-22 in favor of the Dragons. 

West Union added one point to their overall lead after three quarters after outsourcing the Wildcats 18-17 in the third quarter for a 46-39 score. The fourth frame saw the Wildcats gain the upper hand with 19 points in the final eight minutes, while their defense held West Union to nine points. 

Sawyer Blair was the leading scorer for the Wildcats with 15 points. Blair finished the game with three 3-pointers (he was 3-of-3 from beyond the arc), and he also connected with a two-point basket and was 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. The senior wasn’t finished as he had four rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block. 

Brady Brandenburg totaled 13 points with one 3-pointer and five two-point baskets. Brandenburg also collected four rebounds, four assists, and one steal. 

Christopher Wessner ended the game with nine points as he connected with a 3-pointer, and had three two-point field goals. Wessner added five assists and five steals in the win. 

Jason Gaskins ended the game with eight points off two 3-pointers and a two-point basket. Gaskins also had three rebounds, one steal and a block to his credit on the night. 

Evan Richmond ended the game with six points as he made two baskets from the field and was 2-of-2 with his free throw shooting. Richmond also added two rebounds and a steal. 

Carson Hart finished with four points as he connected with one two-point basket and was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. Hart added five rebounds and a block on the night. 

Lucas Pollard ended the game with three points with a 3-pointer, two rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. 

Final team totals for WHS were 13 two-point field goals, eight 3-pointers, and they were 8-of-12 from the free-throw line. They also finished with 20 rebounds (seven offensive), 16 assists, 13 steals and four blocks. 

West Union’s leading scorers were Billy Flaugher (16), Logan Caldwell (13), and Tegan Knox (12). WUHS had 10 two-point baskets, eight 3-pointers and were 12-of-18 from the free-throw line. They also collected 21 rebounds (four offensive), 12 assists and five steals. 

Following the game, WHS was 7-12 overall with a SHAC record of 3-9. West Union moves to 3-16 overall and 2-10 in the SHAC. 

BOX SCORE
WUHS    08 20 18 09 — 55
WHS       14 08 17 19 — 58

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The Whiteoak Wildcats were on the road Tuesday evening (Feb. 10) playing a non-conference game against the host Clermont Northeastern Rockets, falling in a close battle by a 46-42 score. 

The loss at Clermont Northeastern High School included the Wildcats leading 11-8 after the first quarter, and they won the second frame as well at 12-10 for a halftime advantage of 23-18. 

CNS outscored Whiteoak 14-12 in the third for a score of 35-32 with Whiteoak in the lead. CNE outgained the Wildcats 14-7 in the fourth and final frame for a four-point loss by WHS at 46-42. 

Sawyer Blair led Whiteoak in the scoring column with 15 points (one 3-pointer, five two-point baskets, 2-of-3 FT-line), with three rebounds and two assists. 

Brady Brandenburg finished with eight points (three two-point buckets, 2-of-6 FT-line) with two rebounds and two assists. 

Christopher Wessner finished the game with five points (one 3-pointer, 2-of-2 FT-line) and three rebounds. 

Teammate Jason Gaskins also scored five points (one 3-pointer, 2-of-2 FT-line), while also totaling three rebounds and one assist. 

Carson Hart ended the game with four points (one two-pointer, 2-of-2 FT-line), with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Evan Richmond totaled three points for WHS with a 3-pointer, plus he added two rebounds. Lucas Pollard ended the game with two points and two steals. 

As a team, WHS totaled 10 two-point baskets, four 3-pointers, and they were 10-of-15 from the free-throw line. WHS also had 20 rebounds (seven offensive), 10 assists and five steals with 13 turnovers. 

BOX SCORE
WHS    11 12 12 07 — 42
CNE    08 10 14 14 — 46