Bulldogs Grab 2 out of 3 at Coalfield... Varsity Boys Lose a Nail Biter
It's been 2 weeks since I last wrote up a slate of games for the Wartburg Central Middle School Bulldogs - and a lot can happen in a Middle School season in 2 weeks! And add to that the fact that the Bulldogs were going on the road on December 15 to their arch nemesis - the Coalfield Yellow Jackets. It's basically bred into both Wartburg and Coalfield to be rivals with one another. So what would happen in the Yellow Jackets' Nest on a cold Monday night in December?
First up was the undefeated Wartburg Boys JV. This is the chance for some younger players to get some game action. The coaches do a pretty good job of getting everyone that doesn't start Varsity into the JV games. That means they go in with a deep bench with lots of subs as the game drags on. The Wartburg Boys JV comes into this one 4-0 with the promise of a tough matchup with Coalfield (who also sports a deep bench). Led by the slick ball handling and shooting from rising AJ Snell (11 points) and strong post play from Hunter Francis (7 points) & Haden Green (6 points) - the Bulldogs pretty much clung to a small lead that they nursed until the end. Also contributing were Kolton Hamby (2 points), Silas Ward (2 points), and Jase McGill (2 points). They needed every one of those points - as they snuck past Coalfield's JV 30-29 - a narrow victory indeed.
Next up was the Girls Varsity. Now, since I last wrote up the Jefferson game - the girls have been on a tear! They've beaten Sunbright, Oakdale, and Midway in that span - and they've been paced by team-leading scorer Killa' Kam Melton in every game. Melton comes into this one with 119 points on the season - and the defense was sure to be keying on her. Could someone else step up to fill the gap? Yes, indeed! Braylee "The Dagger" Dagley stepped in and proved, once again, just how lethal she can be. She exploded in this one with a 21-point effort - which is a team-high for the girls team this season! It was simply a night where she had the Midas Touch - everything she touched turned to gold. She couldn't miss - and the Bulldogs rode the hot hand most of the night. They dominated the Yellow Jackets - 43-15 for their sixth straight win! Great work ladies!
No matter how you cut it, it's tough to go to Coalfield and come away 3/3 on the night. The last game up was the Boys Varsity. They are coming off of 2 tough wins against Oakdale and Midway. Looking to make it three, they took the floor. Coalfield has more size on the inside than most Middle School opponents - so mainstay Isaac Sills would be challenged. He ended up with only his third single-digit scoring effort as the Coalfield charge was relentless. But the Bulldogs led the entire game even with this challenge to their dominant center. With big games and hot shooting from "Marshall Law" Blalock and Kayman "The Island" Fritts (12 points each) - it looked like the Bulldogs were going to roll on to victory... but then the 4th quarter started. Their 14-point lead melted away like an icy road on a hot day - and they wrestled back and forth at the end - ultimately falling to the Yellow Jackets and their last second heroics... Coalfield on top in a close one - 43-42.
Below are a few musings meant to entertain & encourage:
First up was the undefeated Wartburg Boys JV. This is the chance for some younger players to get some game action. The coaches do a pretty good job of getting everyone that doesn't start Varsity into the JV games. That means they go in with a deep bench with lots of subs as the game drags on. The Wartburg Boys JV comes into this one 4-0 with the promise of a tough matchup with Coalfield (who also sports a deep bench). Led by the slick ball handling and shooting from rising AJ Snell (11 points) and strong post play from Hunter Francis (7 points) & Haden Green (6 points) - the Bulldogs pretty much clung to a small lead that they nursed until the end. Also contributing were Kolton Hamby (2 points), Silas Ward (2 points), and Jase McGill (2 points). They needed every one of those points - as they snuck past Coalfield's JV 30-29 - a narrow victory indeed.
Next up was the Girls Varsity. Now, since I last wrote up the Jefferson game - the girls have been on a tear! They've beaten Sunbright, Oakdale, and Midway in that span - and they've been paced by team-leading scorer Killa' Kam Melton in every game. Melton comes into this one with 119 points on the season - and the defense was sure to be keying on her. Could someone else step up to fill the gap? Yes, indeed! Braylee "The Dagger" Dagley stepped in and proved, once again, just how lethal she can be. She exploded in this one with a 21-point effort - which is a team-high for the girls team this season! It was simply a night where she had the Midas Touch - everything she touched turned to gold. She couldn't miss - and the Bulldogs rode the hot hand most of the night. They dominated the Yellow Jackets - 43-15 for their sixth straight win! Great work ladies!
No matter how you cut it, it's tough to go to Coalfield and come away 3/3 on the night. The last game up was the Boys Varsity. They are coming off of 2 tough wins against Oakdale and Midway. Looking to make it three, they took the floor. Coalfield has more size on the inside than most Middle School opponents - so mainstay Isaac Sills would be challenged. He ended up with only his third single-digit scoring effort as the Coalfield charge was relentless. But the Bulldogs led the entire game even with this challenge to their dominant center. With big games and hot shooting from "Marshall Law" Blalock and Kayman "The Island" Fritts (12 points each) - it looked like the Bulldogs were going to roll on to victory... but then the 4th quarter started. Their 14-point lead melted away like an icy road on a hot day - and they wrestled back and forth at the end - ultimately falling to the Yellow Jackets and their last second heroics... Coalfield on top in a close one - 43-42.
Below are a few musings meant to entertain & encourage:
Cheerleaders were Killing it!
Regardless of what happens on the court, one Wartburg team that always shows up is the WCMS Cheerleaders! At Coalfield, they filled the sidelines and brought some serious volume to keep the fans engaged. They are very organized and have a good set of cheers that they bring out at just the right moments. Normally - they are the ones cheering for someone... Today, I am cheering for you! Great job Cheer Squad!
One Thing I Can Appreciate about Coalfield!
In most games, whenever there is a break in the action - the music comes out. There are basically two types of people behind the music. The ones that let the kids pick the songs - and it's some awful rap song (I'm old)... or it's somebody in their 40s or 50s who plays old rock 'n' roll... But Coalfield changed it up on us. When there were breaks - rather than rap or rock - they simply played Christmas classics... and I... AM... HERE.... FOR.... IT!!!! My hat's off to the DJ!
Wild Man Showing Out
An interesting strategy employed by the Boys Varsity is to recruit 8th graders that are light on basketball background but heavy on athleticism to join the basketball team. Rylan Aytes is one of those guys. Known more for his prowess on the football field, Aytes joined the basketball team this year despite not playing in the previous couple of years. I had my doubts how that would turn out - but Aytes is showing huge leaps in his ability to impact the game... Adding 4 points to his season total helps... but it's really his hustle and grind in getting to the ball and staying with it without ceasing. A solid starter and contributor - "Wild Man" Rylan Aytes has made a believer out of me! Let's Go!
That's it for this time! I hope you've enjoyed the DogBlitz... Next up is an away game against Norwood on Thursday, Dec. 18 where we will see a Boys JV game to go along with both Varsity games!
Go Dogs!
