YATES CENTER — Yates Center High’s girls cranked up their defensive intensity and pulled out a win Thursday, despite struggling mightily on the offensive end.
The Wildcats trailed 7-1 after one quarter, then proceeded to limit visiting Southeast High to six points the rest of the way.
By the time the dust settled, Yates Center had secured its third straight victory, 20-13.
“You know what they say: defense wins games,” Wildcat head coach Abbbie Collins noted. “Defense wins games.”
The momentum shifted to Yates Center’s favor in second quarter, when the Wildcats outscored Southeast, 8-2, to tie the score at halftime 9-9.
Yates Center took the lead in the third quarter, putting together an 8-1 run this time.
Both defenses put down the clamps in the final eight minutes. Both teams were limited to a single field goal and a single free throw.
Morgan Collins led Yates Center with six points, followed by Liberty Cavender with five.
Kinzey Cassidy and Railey Robertson both scored four for the Lancers.
The win lifts Yates Center to 4-8 on the season headed into a home game Friday against Marmaton Valley.
Due to early press times, results from Friday night basketball games in the area were unavailable. They’ll be in Monday’s Register.
Humboldt High’s teams, however, were idle because of COVID-19 related protocols at Caney Valley.
Southeast (7-2-1-3—13) (FG/3pt): Vinson 1-0-3-2, Haynes 0-2-1-2, Cassidy 2-0-0-4, Robertson 0/1-1-3-4, Mutz 0-1-2-1, Bitner 0-0-4-0. TOTALS: 3/1-4-14-13.
Yates Center (1-7-9-3-20): Collins 3-0-1-6, Cavender 2-1-1-5, Ma. Proper 1-0-0-2, Mo. Proper 1-1-4-3, Westerman 1-1-1-3, Miller 0-1-1-1, Solander 0-0-2-0. TOTALS: 8-4-10-20.
