Fleming's season ends with 4-point loss

In an opening-round Regional battle with 20th ranked Springfield, the 13th ranked Fleming Wildcats fell just four points short of extending their season last week. The District 4 runners-up met Springfield at Stratton on Friday for the chance to advance further into the post season.

The two squads played an even contest in the first quarter. Fleming struck first and held a slight lead for the majority of the opening 10 minutes. As time wound down, Springfield tied up the tally and eventually took control going up by three, 18-15, to close the quarter. The Longhorns capitalized on a low-scoring, eight-point second quarter from the Wildcats and upped their advantage by another six points to take a 32-23 lead at the half.

The Longhorns made their strongest offensive showing in the third quarter, putting 20 points on the scoreboard. Fleming wasn't far behind for the quarter with 16 points, but found themselves down by 13 overall.

Fleming fought through the fourth quarter. Their defense held Springfield scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter. The Wildcat offense slowly chipped away at the Longhorns' lead and even the score out at 58-all in the final minutes of play.

A turnover under the Longhorns' basket with under two minutes left on the clock gave the lead back to Longhorns, 60-58, and they'd follow that up with another set of unanswered points. Turnovers and fouls kept the ball on Springfield's end of the court for a time before Fleming could bring the score back within two, 62-60, but a Fleming foul would send the Longhorns to the line once again where they'd add their final two points.

Fleming regained possession and made a couple last ditch efforts at three-point shots that failed to go through the net and suffered a disappointing, season-ending 64-60 loss.

Senior Braylen Feather scored over half of his team's 60 points in his final contest in a Wildcat jersey. He made five three-point shots, several of those from far behind the three-point arc; four two-point shots and eight free throws.

Senior Kolten Houser also hit double digits on the scoreboard with 10 points. He went 100 percent from the free-throw line for two points and earned the remaining eight on two-point buckets.

Senior Harry Harms added another eight points. He earned his off three two-point shots and a pair of free throws.

Harms led his team under the net in rebounds with 17 for the game. He brought down eight offensive and nine defensive boards.

The senior cousin duo of Braylen and Blake Feather followed in rebounds. Blake grabbed eight for the night; Braylen contributed seven.

The Wildcats graduate six members of the team in May; the Feathers, Harms, Houser, Nolan Japp and Kody Donnelson wrapped up their time on the team in Friday's contest. They'll turnover the leadership reins to this year's juniors David Betley and Will Bornhoft.