For just the second time this season, the Louisville Wildcats got a chance to play two boys basketball games in one week.
Coach Kylan Tippett has had a season filled with delays ranging from the football players going through the run to a Class 4A state championship to COVID-19 issues within the school. After just three non-conference games, the Wildcats jumped right into the Class 4A, Region 4contests this week with games at Northeast Lauderdale and Kosciusko.
LHS dealt with triumph and heartbreak all in one-week as they opened up with the first win of the year over Northeast and finished with a heartbreaking loss to Kosciusko in the final seconds on Friday.
“I feel like the week went well. It was a sense of a normal season because we had all of our guys there every day and we got our regular practices in. We showed improvement during the games running the stuff we were supposed to run,” Tippett said. “I think we still have some more conditioning to do but it was good to take a step in the right direction.”
Against Northeast on Tuesday, LHS had to come from behind to get the job done. The Wildcats trailed 30-19 at the half but exploded for 24points in the third quarter and 22 in the fourth on the way to a narrow 65-60win in come-from-behind fashion. They trailed 49-43 going into the fourth quarter before holding the visitors to just 11 points in the fourth for the win.
Clay Maury had a huge night with 30 points in the game, six rebounds and two assists and he shot 10-of-15 from the field. Tyrell Thames added 15 points with a perfect 5-for-5 night shooting and six rebounds as well.
The Wildcats had a similar showing against Kosciusko on Friday but they couldn’t quite finish that one off. It was another slow start for LHS as Kosciusko jumped out to a 21-9 lead in the first quarter and it was35-20 at halftime as the game looked to be slipping from the Wildcats’ hands.
Just as they did against Northeast, the Wildcats came outfiring in the third quarter and were able to cut into that lead with a 23-15advantage that cut the deficit to 50-43 going to the fourth. With a 61-60 lead and2 seconds remaining, Ty Cooper got a rebound and looked to have the game sealed before the Whippets got a steal, a foul and two free throws to win the game with no time remaining.
It left a poor taste in the mouths of the Wildcats as they fell to 1-3 and 1-1 in Region 4, but Tippett felt his team took a step forward. With two home games against district teams in West Lauderdale on Tuesday and Leake Central on Friday this week, it’s a chance to bounce back quickly for LHS.
“I’m really feeling good about them because I see a lot of growth in some of my younger guys,” Tippett said. “Key Jackson scored 10 points off the bench against Kosi as a freshman and that was a positive spark. The younger guys look good coming off the bench and being able to compete like the older guys is huge.”
Girls
There’s still just one blemish on the record of the Louisville Lady Wildcats this year and that came against the defending Class 5Astate champions in Columbus all the way back in November.
Region 4 play started off well last week for LHS as it came away with two convincing wins. They began the week by knocking off Northeast Lauderdale 49-33 and finished it with a dominating 63-34 victory over Kosciusko.
Coach Fred Morris expects his team to be better moving forward in the schedule, but he thought his team worked out of some tough situations and made sure they got the job done.
“We jumped out early on Northeast but started slow in the second half against their pressure. It was the same way against Kosi with the pressure,”Morris said. “We faltered for a while and then picked it up. We’ve got to cutdown on senseless fouls and turnovers but we’re getting there. Those younger players are growing and learning in district play.”
Areyanna Hunter continued to be steady for the Wildcats this week as she had 15 points against Northeast and another 19 against Kosciusko. She also was named to the Mississippi roster in the prestigious Mississippi/Alabama All-Star classic coming up at the end of the season continuing a long list of accolades for her this year including a member of the Dandy Dozen by the Clarion Ledger.
Sophomore Jacylin Houston had a big game against Kosciusko as well scoring a game-high 25 points.
The Lady Wildcats (6-1, 2-0 Region 4) can now start to get some major footing in the division as they get two more district chances this week. Leake Central and West Lauderdale both come to town, but Morris cautioned that his team has to start improving its play on the court to have a chance to win championships. Just playing games again has been a big help.
“They’re coming around. I’m happy thus far. There’s still along road ahead and district play doesn’t get any easier, especially on the road,” Morris said. “I hope that we’re getting better. It’s been huge to get back on the court. In practice you can’t simulate game intensity and hopefully that will help us as the season ends and going into the district tournament.”
