Bobcats split area contests
After suffering a 14-point loss to Sheffield on their home floor earlier this season, the Phil Campbell Bobcats traveled to Bulldogs territory this week and returned the favor, securing a pivotal 52-42 area victory.
The Bobcats wasted no time establishing dominance. Phil Campbell exploded for 19 points in the opening frame. The offensive clinic continued through the second quarter as the Bobcats poured in another 16 points, carving out a double-digit lead by halftime.
Austin Elliott was the catalyst for the Bobcats, slicing through the Sheffield defense for a team-high 18 points. He found plenty of support from Miles Duboise, who added 11 points.
While the scoring slowed in the second half — with the Bobcats netting just 17 points across the final two periods — the early cushion was enough to withstand the Bulldogs’ efforts.
Hayston Scott added seven points to the tally, while Madden Welch (4), Chandler Benford (2), and Bailey Nix (2) provided the necessary depth to seal the win.
The victory at Sheffield was a much-needed bounce-back following a Tuesday night thriller which saw the Bobcats fall just short in a 48-46 overtime loss at Colbert Heights.
For the first 16 minutes of the contest, it appeared the Bobcats’ offense had stayed on the bus. Phil Campbell managed only seven points in the first quarter and went nearly the entire second quarter without a single basket. The drought lasted a staggering seven minutes and 59 seconds before Elliott grabbed a loose ball and raced the length of the floor for a buzzerbeating layup. That bucket accounted for the Bobcats’ only two points of the second quarter, sending them into the locker room with just nine points on the board.
Whatever was said in the locker room worked. The Bobcats emerged for the second half as a completely different team. Duboise, who was held scoreless in the first half, ignited for 13 points to lead the comeback. Combined with Elliott’s gamehigh 20 points and eight from Madden Welch, the Bobcats stormed back with a 19-point fourth quarter to force the game into extra frames.
In the overtime period, however, the comeback fell inches short. The Bobcats managed only three points in the final four minutes while the Wildcats found five to defend their home court.
Hagen Raper (4) and Scott (1) rounded out the scoring for Phil Campbell.
