On Saturday, Feb. 24th, the Millard West Wildcats traveled to Bryan to take on the Bears for the first round of Districts. Millard West entered the contest 10-12 while the Bears entered the game at 14-9 both looking to improve one game to advance to the finals of Districts to take on the Westside Warriors.
Both teams ended the year on a bad note with Millard West losing five of their last six, and Bryan losing four of their last five. The Wildcats entered the game being led in scoring by junior Reece Carson at 13.1 point per game, and the Bears leading scorer also being a junior A’mare Bynum with 21.1 points per game.
The game started off very close with Millard West leading the game at the end of the first quarter with a score of 11-8. Both teams made defense a focal point of the first quarter causing both teams to shoot subpar.
“Shots weren’t falling too much in the first quarter, they were playing a physical game, but we responded by reciprocating that physicality,” Carson said. “We led in the first quarter by a slim margin, and looked to go into half time with a more commanding lead.”
Going into the halftime break the game was tied at 23 a piece with both junior leading scorers for each team, having the most points at half. Bynum went into halftime hitting two three-pointers and multiple layups. Carson hit a three pointer of his own and multiple mid-range jumpers. Still both teams focused on defense and excelled on the defensive end of the ball.
“We went into the break with a tied ball game,” senior Cooper Fortune said. “Our defense in the paint was looking very good with multiple blocks and steals. We can hopefully get our offense going more, and sink some more shots, to gain a lead, and win the game.”
In the second half the Bears started with a great run with a few good shots and a good amount of points gained from the free throw stripe. Carson and the Wildcats ended this early third quarter run with an and-one three-pointer and a few more jumpshots. After both runs Bryan’s proved to be a stronger run giving them the lead by 6 going into the final period. Bryan proved that the run wasn’t over in the start of the fourth with a Bynum three-pointer, and also a powerful slam by Bynum. The Bears finished on top beating the Wildcats 55-45 to send themselves to the district finals against the Westside Warriors.
“We fought hard during this game ending many of their late game runs, but they just got hot in the second half and our shots weren’t falling the most,” senior Jordan Gassen said. “I’m very proud of my teammates for a resilient season, and I had so much fun playing for Millard West basketball for these last four years.”
The Wildcats finished the season with a record of 10-13, led in points per game and assists per game by Reece Carson, at 13.1 points per game and 2.6 assists per game. Cooper Fortune led the Wildcats in rebounds at 4.5 a game. Millard West will lose three out of their five starters to graduation as well as three seniors on the bench.
