Wildcats close regular season with overtime win over East Clinton
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Whiteoak Wildcats celebrated senior night on Saturday by gaining their 12th win of the season and did so in overtime by defeating the visiting East Clinton Astros, 72-65.
The Wildcats guaranteed their first winning record since the 2012-13 season and surpassed their wins total (11 wins) in the four previous seasons combined.
The Wildcats (12-10) led 15-13 at the end of the first frame, and they outscored the Astros, 12-9 in the second frame for a halftime lead of 27-22.
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East Clinton controlled the third quarter at 18-5 for a 40-32 lead. WHS tied the score at the end of regulation with a fourth frame of 27-19, forcing overtime with a 59-59 tied score.
In overtime, WHS outscored the Astros, 13-6 for the seven-point non-conference win.
“What a crazy game. What a way to end the regular season. Hats off to East Clinton. They are a quality team, and we wish them the best in their tournament,” WHS head coach Blake Kibler said. “We had a rough game Friday at Eastern, and to come back the next night and beat a team like East Clinton is incredible.”
Zach Rand led the Wildcats with 20 points, as he was 8-of-12 from the field, and he also was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Rand collected a double-double with 10 rebounds (six offensive), along with one assists and one block.
Trever Yeager totaled 18 points in the win. He made three two-point baskets, one 3-pointer and was 9-of-17 from the free-throw line. Yeager also collected eight rebounds, five assists and one steal.
Traeten Hamilton was the third Whiteoak player to reach double figures with a 17-point game. He also had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Hamilton totaled four two-point baskets, two 3-pointers and was 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Stephen Ross followed with eight points, (two 3-pointers) and two rebounds. Charley Skinner finished with five points for WHS, while also grabbing four rebounds. Michael Crowe rounded out the scoring with four points, and he also had three steals and two rebounds.
Also for the Wildcats, Atlee Carr had two steals, Logan Cummings totaled three rebounds and Brayden Yeager had one rebound.
“This was our seniors’ last home game. Ross, Yeager, Crowe and Skinner will be truly missed,” Kibler said. “What they have been through and where they are now, and to keep fighting the fight, is extraordinary. We are very proud that they are a part of this program, and it was a honor to coach them.
“Now it’s on to the tournament. Our first goal this year was to have a winning season, now our next goal is to reach the Convo. We will stop at nothing to make sure we reach our goal.”
The Wildcats totaled 37 rebounds, 11 assists, eight steals and one block as a team.
Also in the game, East Clinton senior Wyatt Floyd became the ECHS all-time leading scorer (boys and girls) after scoring his 1,414th career point, according to East Clinton High School.
Next for WHS is the Division IV SE District Sectional Semifinals when they play on Wednesday, Feb. 21, as they are a No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 Sciotoville (3-12) at Northwest High School with a 6:15 p.m. start.
The Wildcats guaranteed their first winning record since the 2012-13 season and surpassed their wins total (11 wins) in the four previous seasons combined.
The Wildcats (12-10) led 15-13 at the end of the first frame, and they outscored the Astros, 12-9 in the second frame for a halftime lead of 27-22.
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East Clinton controlled the third quarter at 18-5 for a 40-32 lead. WHS tied the score at the end of regulation with a fourth frame of 27-19, forcing overtime with a 59-59 tied score.
In overtime, WHS outscored the Astros, 13-6 for the seven-point non-conference win.
“What a crazy game. What a way to end the regular season. Hats off to East Clinton. They are a quality team, and we wish them the best in their tournament,” WHS head coach Blake Kibler said. “We had a rough game Friday at Eastern, and to come back the next night and beat a team like East Clinton is incredible.”
Zach Rand led the Wildcats with 20 points, as he was 8-of-12 from the field, and he also was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Rand collected a double-double with 10 rebounds (six offensive), along with one assists and one block.
Trever Yeager totaled 18 points in the win. He made three two-point baskets, one 3-pointer and was 9-of-17 from the free-throw line. Yeager also collected eight rebounds, five assists and one steal.
Traeten Hamilton was the third Whiteoak player to reach double figures with a 17-point game. He also had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Hamilton totaled four two-point baskets, two 3-pointers and was 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Stephen Ross followed with eight points, (two 3-pointers) and two rebounds. Charley Skinner finished with five points for WHS, while also grabbing four rebounds. Michael Crowe rounded out the scoring with four points, and he also had three steals and two rebounds.
Also for the Wildcats, Atlee Carr had two steals, Logan Cummings totaled three rebounds and Brayden Yeager had one rebound.
“This was our seniors’ last home game. Ross, Yeager, Crowe and Skinner will be truly missed,” Kibler said. “What they have been through and where they are now, and to keep fighting the fight, is extraordinary. We are very proud that they are a part of this program, and it was a honor to coach them.
“Now it’s on to the tournament. Our first goal this year was to have a winning season, now our next goal is to reach the Convo. We will stop at nothing to make sure we reach our goal.”
The Wildcats totaled 37 rebounds, 11 assists, eight steals and one block as a team.
Also in the game, East Clinton senior Wyatt Floyd became the ECHS all-time leading scorer (boys and girls) after scoring his 1,414th career point, according to East Clinton High School.
Next for WHS is the Division IV SE District Sectional Semifinals when they play on Wednesday, Feb. 21, as they are a No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 Sciotoville (3-12) at Northwest High School with a 6:15 p.m. start.