LEROY — The Yates Center Wildcats are riding a three-game win streak into Friday’s regular season finale against Three Rivers League foe Crest.
The Wildcats’ latest win came in a 72-30 drubbing of Southern Coffey County, improving Yates Center’s record to 12-10 and 6-7 with just one game to go to get them above .500.
“We took the first few minutes of the game to get going,” Yates Center coach Lane Huffman said. “That’s a problem we need to fix as we head into the postseason. We preach about how taking one play off can cost us a game. All five have to be doing their job each possession.”
Following the slow start, the Wildcats took control by the second quarter and poured on the points from there with three players reaching double-digit scoring.
An early scoring barrage by junior guard Colton Burkholder, who scored 12 of his team-leading 15 points in the first quarter. Sophomore guard Ben Cook took over from there, tying Burkholder in scoring, while sophomore forward Jacob Smoot had a breakout performance with 14 points.
“Colton Burkholder had a huge 12-point first quarter that really pushed us ahead and we stayed ahead,” Coach Huffman said.
“Smoot also had a great fourth quarter. He did a fantastic job attacking the rim, scoring 12 of his 14 field goals.”
Other contributors from Tuesday night included junior guard Evan McVey and sophomore forward Jeremiah Jones with eight points each.
Sophomore guard Gavin Busteed had six points.
Huffman noted freshman guard Caleb Kuhn, who came off the bench for five points.
“Kuhn has done a good job coming off the bench for us and earning more minutes,” Huffman said. “He’s becoming a better defender and can knock down a shot here and there.”
The Wildcats wrap up the regular season Friday against Crest, who comes into the contest third in the TRL and an overall record of 17-5 and 10-3 in the TRL.
However, before Coach Huffman can start worrying about the Lancers he must first shore up a few of Yates Center’s weak points.
“Rebounding is something we have to improve moving forward,” Huffman said. “You can’t give teams a second or third chance at points, especially the talented teams we are going to face.
“We have a big match- up with Crest Friday which has big implications on what seed we receive for the postseason.”
Tip-off for Friday’s contest will take place 20 minutes after the conclusion of the 6 p.m. girls contest.
