Wildcats suffer 70-43 loss to Bulldogs

The Fleming Wildcats hosted their first home contest of 2024 on Friday night against the Peetz Bulldogs. The game marked the second league outing of the season and their lone contest of the week after a Thursday road game at Akron was cancelled due to road conditions.

Peetz jumped to an early lead in the first quarter on Friday night, putting up 17 points while allowing just six. The visiting Bulldogs tacked 26 points on to their lead by the close of the half, going up 46-9.

The Wildcats put double digits on the scoreboard in both quarters of the second half, 17 apiece, but ultimately fell short 70-43.

Senior David Betley led the Wildcats on the scoreboard with 12 points. He went six for six in fieldgoals giving him 100 percent for the game. Betley also grabbed the team-high rebounds with five. He brought down one offensive and four defensive boards.

Senior Will Bornhoft and junior Derek Houser added six points apiece. Bornhoft earned his after making three of five attempts from inside the arc. Houser went 100 percent from outside the arc sinking two, three-point shots.

In addition to his scoring efforts, Bornhoft added four rebounds. Junior Travis Johnson and freshman Wyatt Sonnenberg each brought down three boards.

Johnson led the team in steals with three for the night. Freshmen Treyson Kirkwood and Conner Marchant along with Bornhoft led in assists with two each.

The Wildcats are set to hit the road again this week. They’ll open on Friday night with contests at Merino. The Ram squad enters at 10-1 on the year. C-team boys are set to take the court at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, the team is set to face off with Briggsdale in league action. According to MaxPreps standings, the Falcons hold the top spot in the 1A North Central League with a 3-7 overall record and a 1-0 league record. Junior varsity boys are scheduled to open that day with games beginning at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 30 puts the Wildcats on the road to Akron to make up last week’s game. A 4 p.m. start time is listed for that day on MaxPreps schedule.