Wildcats cruise past Wolfpack, claim district title

After starting the season 0-7, it was hard for anyone to imagine the Abbeville Wildcats winning 18 of their next 21 games and winning the District 6-3A title.
However, it happened.
With a 65-46 win over West St. Mary, Abbeville (18-10, 9-1) sealed a district title and a spot in the playoffs.
“Tonight’s performance was a good performance by everyone,” said AHS coach Berwick Hamilton. “We got everybody in the game and they all played fairly well especially the starters.
“Jourdan Brooks played above and beyond as usual, but the team played good ball tonight. That’s something we talked about, trying to finish strong.”
The Wildcats jumped all over the Wolfpack from the opening tip, and led 19-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Abbeville forced eight turnovers in the quarter.
The Wildcats didn’t let off the gas in the second with a 11-2 run to extend the lead to 30-9 midway through the quarter.
West St. Mary closed out the quarter outscoring AHS 8-5 to trail 35-18 at the half.
Abbeville’s Isaiah Antoine dropped in a 3-pointer to start the half to put the Wildcats ahead 38-18, but the Wolfpack responded with a 12-2 run over the next two minutes to cut the deficit to 40-30.
The 10-point margin would be as close as the Wolfpack would get. AHS led by 15 at the end of three quarters, and led by as many as 18 in the fourth to cruise to their ninth district win of the year.
“I think It shows a lot of character and a lot of growth,” Hamilton said of his team’s turnaround. “One of the things we were worried about at the beginning of the year was whether we were going to fold the tent or build it stronger. I think as the year went on, even after losing to North Vermilion, we got stronger.”
Antoine led the Wildcats with 12 points, followed by Matt Johnson with 11.
Other AHS scorers were: Nadaedrion Mouton (7), Kevin Williams (2), Clyde Mitchell (8), Dre’vian Evans (7), Jourdan Brooks (7), Demarcus Collins (3), Kavon Benjamin (2) and Clements Dorsey (6).
The Wildcats have to wait to find out their seed and opponent in the playoffs and Hamilton said he believes his team is up for the playoff challenge.
“I think we’re ready for it,” he said. “I think they’re excited about it. I think they wanted to be a champion and now they’re there. They will find out very soon what it’s like to be there. It’s a special feeling and environment. We just try to keep them mentally ready and involved.”
The boys official playoff brackets will be announced Monday.