JV Licking Wildcats Clinch Mountain Grove Junior Varsity Tournament Title with Huge Win

In a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, the JV Licking Wildcats emerged victorious in the Mountain Grove Junior Varsity Tournament, securing the championship by defeating Marshfield with a score of 45-33. The journey to victory began in the first round on January 23, where the JV team faced off against Norwood, ultimately prevailing with a convincing 63-43 win. Despite a slow start, the team's second-quarter surge set the tone for their success, solidified by a robust defense in the latter half, limiting Norwood to a mere 12 points. Nate Gambill led the scoring with 14 points, supported by Benton Corley, Brently Morris, and Lake Wade, each contributing 11 points.

The semifinal round proved to be a hard-fought battle against Hartville on Thursday, resulting in a narrow 51-47 triumph for Licking. Overcoming an early deficit, the team's 20-point second quarter paved the way to a halftime lead. A back-and-forth second half saw crucial contributions from Corley and Gambill, securing the win with four pivotal free throws. Karsen Walker led the team with an impressive 25 points. The week culminated in a championship showdown against Marshfield on Saturday, where the Wildcats exhibited a disciplined defense, limiting Marshfield to minimal scoring opportunities. Despite a slower pace, the JV Licking Wildcats clinched the title with a 45-33 victory. Coach Chris Harris praised the team's commitment to holding opposing teams under 40 points per game, emphasizing their defensive prowess. Key contributors in the championship game included Gambill with 13 points, Walker with 11, Morris with 9, and Wade with 8 points.

Expressing immense pride in his team, Coach Harris acknowledged the players' hard work and determination. Reflecting on last year's tournament, where they fell short, the Wildcats demonstrated a focused resolve to secure victory this time. With the JV tournament looming, the team is poised for more exciting basketball action. Simultaneously, the Mountain Grove Varsity Tournament unfolded, presenting a challenging start for the Varsity Wildcats. In the opening round, they faced a tough loss to Norwood, with a final score of 60-52. Despite a late-game surge, Roston Stockard led all scorers with 22 points, complemented by Austin James and Keyton Cook, who added 11 points each. Coach Phillip Gambill commended the team's fight until the final buzzer, acknowledging their resilience.