Basketball season 2019-2020 began Saturday for the Wayne County High School Wildcats and Ladycats. The Wildcats traveled to Clarksburg Saturday, facing the home team, Clarksburg, in the morning, and then they played the Tigers of Bruceton/Hollowrock. The Ladycats went to Gleason to play against the Lady Bulldogs the same day. The Wildcats took a win over Clarksburg, but lost to Bruceton. The Ladycats got behind early, as Gleason hit 7 first half three pointers, but rallied back to go in front at the end of the game. The Ladycats were unable to hold the lead and dropped their opening contest.
Against Clarksburg, the Wildcats fell behind early, trailing 8 – 6 at the end of the first quarter, but came out strong in the second, as Tyler Moser scored 8 in the period to put the ‘Cats up 23 – 17 at the half. Clarksburg outscored the ‘Cats 15 – 10 in the third to cut the margin to 1, 33 – 32. The Wildcats exploded for 21 points in the fourth to take a 54 – 46 win.
Clay Baugus led the Wildcats with 23 points, 7 boards, 2 steals and 2 assists. Tyler Moser finished with 12 points and had a huge game on the boards, finishing with 18 rebounds, a steal, and an assist. Adam Goss scored 9 points and had 3 boards a steal and an assist, while Cade Crews added 7 points, and Ethan Camfield hit for 3 on a 3-pointer. Crews had 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist. Camfield had one assist. Gaynes Keaton had 2 rebounds and a steal. Wyatt Kelley had 2 boards and 2 steals, and Eli McClain had 2 rebounds for the ‘Cats.
Against Bruceton, the Wildcats fell behind by double digits, 17 – 7, at the end of the first quarter. They fought back to cut the margin to 31 – 26 by the half as Adam Goss scored 8 in the second period. The ‘Cats managed only 5 points in the third period, going down 42 – 31 by the end of three, and were unable to make a move in the fourth, falling by a final score of 57 – 42.
Clay Baugus hit for 21 points and had a double-double with 10 rebounds. He had 2 steals and 2 assists. Adam Goss finished with 10 points and had 3 rebounds. Wyatt Kelley scored 5 points, while Cade Crews had 4. Kelley had 7 rebounds and 5 steals, while Crews had 3 rebounds. Tyler Moser scored 2 points and had 5 rebounds. Gaynes Keaton had 2 rebounds, with a steal and an assist, and Ethan Camfield had one rebound.
The Ladycats got off to a slow start offensively against the Lady Bulldogs of Gleason, scoring only 8 points in the opening quarter. Gleason nailed 7 three point shots in that period to go up 23 – 8. In the second, the Ladycats cut into the lead, but still trailed by double digits, 31 – 20 at the half. In the third period, the margin went down to 7, 37 – 30, and in the final minutes, the Ladycats fought all the way back. With 4:40 left in the game, Cambree Camfield stole the ball and scored to tie the game at 39 all. She made another basket, to put the Ladycats on top for the first time 41 – 39, only a few minutes later. A Lauren Bryant three pointer made the score 44 – 39. The Ladycats, trying to milk the clock, turned the ball over. Gleason tied the game at 44 all. Another turnover gave the ball and the Ladycats fouled. Gleason capitalized hitting two free throws, making the score 44 – 46. The Ladycats went for a three which was no good, then committed a foul on the rebound that sent the Lady Bulldogs to the line again. Again they hit both free throws to go up 44 – 48. A last second shot by the Ladycats was blocked, making the final Gleason 48, Ladycats 44.
Cambree Camfield led the Ladycats in scoring with 15 points, including 3 three-point goals. She had 7 rebounds and an assist. Kelley Baugus scored 9 points and had 4 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. Freshman Lauren Bryant scored 8 points off the bench, and had a rebound and a steal. Savanna McClain hit four free throws and had 6 rebounds, while Henley Floyd and Charli Woodside each had a three point goal. Michaela Gallian scored 2 points and had 3 rebounds. The Ladycats hit 44% from the field.
Following games against Hampshire and Decatur/Riverside on Monday and Tuesday of this week, the teams return to action on Monday the 2nd as they travel to Lewis County. On the 3rd, they go to Mt. Pleasant. Game time is 6:00 p.m. “GO WILDCATS AND LADYCATS!”—Submitted
