Cats take title at Hoop Heaven

Photo/Jim Jackson Cade Clark shoots over his opponent in the Hoop Heaven Tournament at Lindale.

Over the past weekend, the Wildcats competed in the Tyler Ford Hoop Heaven Tournament in Lindale.

In the first game last Thursday, Kyle Ford would lead a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as the Wildcats defeated Irving Nimitz, 52-31.

The Friday game versus Shreveport Bossier saw the Wildcats get off to a slow start, as they would only build a 23-16 lead at the half. However, in the second half, Ford along with Cade Clark would get hot to help the ‘Cats to a 53-46 win. Ford would lead the scoring attack with 17 while Clark had 16, and Mitch Marquis would have 11.

In the tournament semi-final, the Wildcats would defeat Lindale on Saturday morning 39- 29 to move them into the championship game that night against Lufkin. Clark and Marquis would each hit for 13 points to lead the Wildcats.

In the final game, Lufkin would assume the early command and take a 22-15 lead in the second quarter. Then, led by Marquis, the Wildcats’ pressure defense would force three straight turnovers, and the Wildcats would go on an 11-0 run to take the lead.

Photo/Jim Jackson Mitch Marquis earned MVP for the Hoop Heaven tourney.

The outside shooting by the Wildcats would push the lead to 36-29 at the half. Marquis would score 10 of his game high 27 points in the second quarter to spark the comeback.

In the third quarter, the Wildcats would go to the inside with Clark who would score 10 of his 17 points on the game during the quarter to help the Wildcats build an 8 point lead going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter would again belong to the Wildcats as Marquis would score 8 points in the period, and Kye Heck would come up big from the free throw line going 5 for 6 to help the Wildcats to a 73-63 win.

Marquis would earn tournament MVP and lead the ‘Cats in the championship with 27 points. He was followed by Clark with 17 points while Ford had 13, Heck had 7, Parker had 5, and Cody Malloy had 4.

“We played a solid game tonight. I thought Mitch hit some big shots when the game was close, and Cade gave us a big advantage inside in the second half,” said Coach Wally Dawkins.