YATES CENTER — The Yates Center High boys basketball team was dealt a setback in their matchup with Sedan on Thursday night, 42-15.
The Wildcats (1-2) got down big early and could never relinquish their deficit after some bad defense allowed the Blue Devils to stretch their lead to 25 points in the first half.
“Doing the little things is what wins basketball games, and that’s what we have preached to our guys. Tonight we failed to do much of anything, and our focus has to change,” said Yates Center head coach Lane Huffman. “We have to bounce back quickly.”
Emmit George and Garrett Audis put Yates Center on the board in the first quarter as each hit a two-pointer. Sedan was led early by Walt Gooden’s four points and Koda Blankenship’s three points which helped them take an 8-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Wildcats only scored one point in the second quarter on a Cash Cummings free throw. Sedan’s Justus Norris put up 12 points after a pair of three’s helped stretch the margin while Gooden put up another pair of layups and a free throw.
Yates Center trailed Sedan at halftime, 29-5.
The blue and white would have trouble finding the rim and executing good shots all night long as Devin Sarchet knocked down a pair of free throws for the only third quarter points. The Blue Devils would go on a 25-0 run through a period of the second half.
“Our 2-3 zone was rotating fast and playing with our hands up in the first quarter,” said Huffman. “After that we slowed down, and allowed Sedan to get open shots, and offensive rebounds. Poor defense paired with a lack of execution on offense led them on a 25-0 run.”
Sedan’s Lyndon Sears posted six points in the third following a trio of two’s while Norris put up a couple two’s and a free throw. Sedan led Yates Center heading to the fourth quarter, 51-7.
Sarchet and Cummings would finish the scoring for Yates Center in the fourth quarter when they each banked in a couple layups. The baskets were nowhere near enough as the Blue Devil Dowell hit a trio of two-pointers in the final quarter as the Wildcats took the 59-15 defeat.
“It starts with me,” Huffman said. “I haven’t prepared our guys well enough, and it showed tonight. If our guys keep working hard like I know they can, we will improve and be in a spot to succeed.”
Cummings led Yates Center offensively with seven points while George notched four points and Jayston Rice and Britain netted two points apiece.
Yates Center opposes Cherryvale on Friday night at 5 p.m.
Yates Center (6-5-15—15)
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