At long last, our Wise Wildcats made their basketball debut in our brand-new Katz Family Pavilion. Facing a strong Mirman Mustangs team, coach Ryan Hosler’s 4th grade boys blue team were set to begin the season with a true test. The first half was tightly contested with eight lead changes and a halftime score of 11-10. Neither team backed down as the match continued into the third quarter resulting in only a single basket separating the two determined 4th grade powerhouses.
Early in the fourth quarter, our Wildcats found their rhythm and began to pull away from the Mustangs, leading 15-24 with 8:47 left in regulation. The Mustangs clearly weren’t ready to throw in the towel, and went on to score 7 unanswered points over the next 8 minutes, closing the gap to 22-24. With less than a minute to go, the near double-digit Wildcat lead had been all but erased. After several failed three-point attempts, all the momentum the Wildcats built in the fourth quarter had since evaporated. The surging Mirman team grabbed an offensive rebound and made a tough layup tying the game at 24 as the final buzzer sounded.
Going into overtime, the air was thick with tension. The restless crowd stirred in anticipation, as fans from both sides rallied for their teams. Their palpable excitement spilled onto the court, and the boys on both teams seemed energized for would surely be a thrilling finale. The defensive battle ensued just as it had in the first half of regulation, and neither team could find a way to score for the majority of overtime. With less than a minute to go, the Mustangs took a 26-24 lead after scoring in the low post. The Wildcats came up short on the next 2 possessions, unable to capitalize on a forced turnover. With 13 seconds on the clock, the young Wildcats knew it was now or never. Dribbling up the court, looking for an opening against the seemingly impenetrable Mustang defense, time was not on our side. As the Wildcats passed the ball from one side of the court to the other, the countdown began–5…4…3… And then it happened. Finding the smallest opening in the corner, one of the Wildcat players pulled up from beyond the arc and drained a three-point shot from the corner as time expired! The crowd erupted with a roar and stormed the court to congratulate the victorious Wildcats.
After the game, Coach Hosler expressed his respect and gratitude for our cross-bridge rivals. “Those guys were extremely tough and very well disciplined out on the court tonight. Hats off to both the players and coaches for a well-played game. If we could play every game against the Mustangs, I would be thrilled.” What a way to break in the new gym! This game will surely be remembered as a classic in Wise Wildcat history. We’re already looking forward to the next time these two teams meet later this season for round two of The Battle of the Bridge!
