Fleming takes on top teams on the road

The Fleming Wildcats competed in a busy, three-game week that pitted them against some of the top teams in the area in 1A and 2A basketball. The teams traveled for all three outings putting them in Merino, Briggsdale and Akron last Friday, Saturday and Tuesday.

Both the Wildcats and the Lady Wildcats fell at Merino to the Merino Rams. The Rams' boys' and girls' squads both hold the number two spot in 2A's Lower Platte League, according to MaxPreps. Fleming's boys' team fell to Merino, 79-36; the girls lost 66-33.

On Friday night, the teams traveled to Briggsdale for their lone league contest of the week. The Briggsdale Falcons hold the number two spot in the North Central League; the Lady Falcons entered in the number one spot.

The Wildcats kept pace with the Falcons in the first half after trailing by eight points after the first and second quarters. They were down 33-25 at halftime. Briggsdale went on to out score the Wildcats by 11 points in the second half and the score read 68-49 at the final horn.

The Lady Wildcats struggled to get on the board in the first quarter at Briggsdale and the Lady Falcons went up 10-1. The Lady Wildcat offense answered back with 13 points in the second quarter while the defense held the Lady Falcons to 10. The score stood at 20-14 at the half. Briggsdale tacked 10 points on to their lead in the third and Fleming managed to shave six off that advantage by the final horn, but ultimately fell 50-40.

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Wildcats played at Akron. The Rams and Lady Rams hold the number six and number five slots respectively in 2A's Lower Platte League, according to MaxPreps.

The Wildcat offense struggled at Akron, scoring single digits in three of the four quarters. Akron added double digits in each quarter and the score settled at 61-25.

The Lady Wildcats added a win at Akron over the then 7-5 Lady Rams. The Lady Wildcats took an early four-point advantage in the first and added six to their lead by the end of the half. They led 23-13 after two quarters of play. The Lady Rams outscored Fleming by seven in the third, but Fleming dominated the fourth quarter, maintained control and took the victory, 37-27.

Individual stats for the week's contests were not available as of press time.

The Wildcats are scheduled to return to their home court for Friday and Saturday action this week.

On Friday night, they host Weldon Valley for league play. The Fleming Booster Club Facebook page lists a 5 p.m. tip off time that day.

The Weldon Valley Warriors sit one spot above the Wildcats at number four in current league rankings. The Lady Warriors sit two slots behind the Lady Wildcats at number four.

On Saturday, Fleming hosts Genoa-Hugo/Karval with games beginning at 3 p.m.

The Pirates held a 6-7 overall record after last week. The Lady Pirates sat at 4-9 after last week.