Pirates strong second half too much for Wildcats

The Kaplan Pirates squared off against the Abbeville Wildcats Friday night, and the Pirates were able to protect their home court with a 51-47 victory.

“The key to the game for us was our defense,” Pirates Head Coach Jeff Davis said. “They are a good team, and they have some really good athletes. Give them (Abbeville) a lot of credit for bouncing back they way they did, and playing us as tough as they
did.”

The game was one that was predicated on runs.

The Wildcats made a run in the first half by starting the first quarter off with a 13-3 run, and they would take a 17-11 lead into halftime.

Coming out of the halftime break the Pirates started the third quarter on a 14-3 run, which found them with a 33-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter

The last run of the game came in the fourth quarter and was by the Pirates.

The Wildcats would take a 38-36 lead heading into the last six minutes of the game.

Then the Pirates finished the game on a 15-9 run.

The last run which ended up winning the game for the Pirates was led by Devantae Daivs who would go six of eight from the free throw line, to give the Pirates the 51-47 victory.

Davis would go on to lead the Pirates in scoring with a game and team high 18 points.

Kaylon Rudd wasn’t too far off as he was able to score 11 points of his own.

Blake Touchet and Jalen Bates would each score eight points, all of which came in the second half for both players.

Darius Rudd rounded out the scoring for the Pirates with six points.

“They have a good basketball team,” Wildcats Head Coach Berwick Hamilton said. “I think they are the best team in district. We have a few games left and I think we are going to knock a few people off.”

Tristan Greene led the way in scoring for the Wildcats with 12 points. All 12 of his points came from behind the three point line.

Clements Dorsey was next in line has he was able to add 10 for the Wildcats.

Desmond Taylor and Jordan Brooke added nine and eight respectively.

Trevan Briggs and Matthew Johnson finished the scoring for the Wildcats with three and two.

The game against Kaplan was the second game in as many days for the Wildcats.

Abbeville went up against district rival Notre Dame, Thursday night as a make up game from Tuesday night.

The Wildcats lost to the Pios by the final score of 71-41.

Leading the Wildcats in scoring was Desmond Taylor, who scored a team high 17 points.

Clements Dorsey and Trevan Briggs were able to score eight and seven points respectively.

Tristan Green scored his only three points in the first quarter.

Matthew Johnson, Luis Florez and Kirk Daigle rounded out the scoring for the Wildcats with two points apiece.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor