YATES CENTER — A cold second half doomed Yates Center High’s Wildcats Monday.
Visiting Central Heights took over after intermission, extending a 31-27 lead to 52-37 by the end of the third quarter.
The Vikings kept up the defensive pressure in the fourth period, winning 63-41.
The loss, coming in the Class 2A substate playoffs, ends Yates Center’s season with an 11-7 record and snapped a six-game Wildcat winning streak.
Central Heights broke out of the gates early, leading 22-14 after one, but Yates Center responded in the second period, closing the half with a 13-9 run.
Preston Hurst and Sean Hurst led the way for the Wildcats with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Jack King followed with eight, Cash Cummings and Taven Smoot both had four and Carter Burton two.
The Wildcats have reason for optimism for 2021-22, losing only three seniors off this year’s squad, Smoot, Mark Bacca and Austin Moffet.
