Fleming takes Winter Hoops Championship

The Fleming Wildcats tacked on two in the win column last weekend at their own Winter Hoops Tournament. The Wildcats grabbed wins over the Flagler Panthers and the Arickaree Bison to go 2-0 for the week.

Tournament play opened on Friday, Jan. 6 - a couple weeks later than orginally scheduled. The tournament was postponed due to winter weather. Fleming met up with Flagler on the opening night of play.

Fleming jumped to an early 11-point advantage in the first and widened the scoring gap by another seven in the second to go up 36-18 by halftime.

The Wildcats added 21 points in the third quarter while giving up just six to take a 33-point advantage. They put up another 17 in the final minutes of play while the Panthers added 11 and the score settled at 74-35, Fleming.

Senior Kolten Houser led on the scoreboard with 22 points. He shot 67 percent in two-point field goals making 10 of 15 attempts for 20 of his points. The remaining two came off free throws.

Senior Braylen Feather added 18 points for the home team. He made one three-pointer, seven two-point shots and a free throw. Feather also led the Wildcats in rebounds and assists with 11 in each category; giving him a triple double in the game.

Senior Nolan Japp also hit double digits on the scoreboard with 15 points. He followed Feather in rebounds and assists with eight and three, respectively.

The following night, the Wildcats took a Championship victory over the Arickaree Bison. Fleming led by 10 after the first and by 18 at the half, 34-16.

The Bison battled in the second half staying within three points of Fleming's third quarter score and matching them at 11 in the fourth. The game ended with Fleming on top, 64-43.

Feather led his team in scoring and rebounds for the night. He put up 24 points off three shots outside the arc, seven inside the arc and a single free throw.

Under the basket, Feather brought down 12 boards; four offensive and eight defensive. He contributed the team high seven assists and six steals.

Japp followed Feather's offensive efforts with 15 points. He shot 63 percent for the night with one three-pointer and six two-point field goals. He brought down 11 rebounds split at eight offensive and three defensive.

Houser also hit double digits with 11 points in the game. He made five two-point shots and a free throw.

The Wildcats traveled to Lone Star to meet up with the Longhorns on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Results of that contest had not been determined as of press time.

This weekend's play is scheduled to take place on Fleming's home court on both Friday and Saturday nights. The Wildcats host Stratton on Friday and Prairie for league action on Saturday. Contests on both nights are set to begin at 4 p.m.