Wildcats charge past Chambers
Published 10:53 am Friday, January 12, 2018
LANETT — Thursday night’s game against Chambers Academy started sourly for the Springwood School boys. In a blink, they fell behind by 10 points on their home floor.
That’s when head coach Drew Dorsey called a timeout.
“Our message to them is, ‘When things aren’t going right, you can change it,’” he said.
The Wildcats heeded his advice.
Led by senior Gus Davidson, Springwood (8-10) closed the half — and game — on a decisive run that enabled it to secure a 54-35 victory over its rival.
“Really, it was the boys,” Dorsey said. “They just put it all out there. It was fun to watch.”
Springwood outscored Chambers (3-10) 22-5 in the first half after the Rebels’ early barrage gave them a 10-0 lead.
Davidson put his team on the board with a 3 from the left wing. His ensuing layup, along with a buzzer-beating floater from Henry Smith, pulled Springwood within three, 10-7, at the end of the first quarter.
Christian Lancaster drilled a 3 from the left wing to push the Wildcats ahead, 14-13, early in the second frame. Davidson added two layups and pair of free throws as he scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the first half.
“[Dorsey] called on me, and he expected me to bring the energy,” Davidson said. “I brought the energy tonight.”
Springwood held a 22-15 halftime lead, which it extended during the final two quarters. The Wildcats blew the game open when they started the final frame on a 13-0 run.
“Anytime you’re fortunate enough to beat your rival, it just gives you that much more of a boost heading into the weekend,” Dorsey said.
Lancaster joined Davidson in double figures with 11 points. Antonio Roberts and Garret Partridge had six apiece for the Wildcats. Partridge also established a strong post presence and corralled a number of key rebounds.
Braxton Allen led the Rebels with seven points.
Chambers Academy will return to action tonight against Evangel. Springwood will resume play on Tuesday against Glenwood.