The Madison Bulldog basketball teams traveled to Yates Center last week for the annual Wildcat Winter Classic, with the Bulldog boys going 2-1 to place fifth. The Lady Bulldogs went 1-2 to place seventh.
Madison boys lost their opening game to the Bluestreaks of Neodesha, 43-51, to put them on the consolation side of the bracket. The boys held a 14-13 lead after the first, but struggled offensively in the next two quarters to score just 13 points and trailed 27-40 going into the final quarter. Scoring for the Bulldogs were Octavian Dean 16, Brayden Grimmett 10, Corey Yowell and Lane Smith each 5, Cooper Luthi 4 and Javie Alba Mendez with 3.
In their second game, Madison faced Cherryvale, claiming a 59-42 victory. The Bulldogs led throughout the game, leading 20-9 after the first, 30-20 after two and 48-29 after three. Scoring for Madison were Dean 20, Cooper Luthi 14, Yowell 10. Grimmett 7, Smith 4 and Jaxson Dauer and Mendez each with 2.
In the fifth place matchup, Madison claimed an early 7-5 lead over the Tornadoes of Eureka. The Tornadoes rallied back in the second to take a 20-19 lead over the Bull- d o g s . The teams continued to exchange the lead in the third, with the Bulldogs taking a 34-31 lead to go into the final quarter. Madison doubled the Tornadoes’ scoring in the fourth, 19-8, to win the game 53-39.
Scoring for the Bulldogs were Dean 28, Dauer 10, Smith 6, Grimmett 4, Mendez 3 and Cooper Luthi 2.
Lady Bulldogs
The Lady Bulldogs opened their tournament against a strong Neodesha Bluestreak team. Madison trailed 9-12 after the first and 15-17 at the half; but, the third quarter found them outscored 15-1. Madison was unable to overcome the deficit and fell 26-43. Scoring for Madison were Sadie Albert 9, Caylin Luthi and Kam White each with 8 and Rylee Darbro 1.
In the second round, the Lady Bulldogs faced Olpe and struggled to find offensive ground, scoring 6 in the first half, trailing 6-18 at the intermission. Madison added 2 in the third before adding 10 in the final quarter. The Lady Bulldogs lost the game 18-38. Scoring for Madison were Caylin Luthi, Albert and White all with 4 and Roz Watts and Darbro each with 3.
The Lady Bulldogs had their best game in the final round of the tournament, defeating Yates Center, 4811. Madison dominated the first quarter, going 24-0. Madison continued to dominate the Wildcats throughout the game, leading 38-8 at half and 46-8 at the end of the third quarter. Scoring for Madison were Darbro and White each with 8, Albert 7, Caylin Luthi, Molly Dannels and Bayleigh Benjamin all with 6, Morgan Weakly 3 and Zoaie Quintana and Rylie Watts each with 2.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Waverly this Friday, Dec. 19, with action slated to begin at 5 p.m.
