Early Wildcat lead shoved aside by Wave

GALLATIN — Physical play proved to be the difference-maker as Wilson Central's Wildcats suffered a 65-47 loss to the Gallatin Green Wave Friday.
"They were much more physical than we were, and the referees let the game be physical," Wildcat coach Troy Bond said. "We didn't adjust."
Central came out shooting and took an early 7-0 lead. But the Green Wave battled back and the two teams were gridlocked at 13 when the buzzer sounded at the end of the first.
Gallatin opened the second period with a run of its own. The Green Wave reeled off 11 straight points to take the lead 24-13 with 4:10 remaining in the half. Teraes Clemons put up the Wildcats' first points of the quarter, sinking two free throws with 3:54 to play. Gallatin held a 28-20 lead at the half.
The margin widened to 12 points at the close of the third period with Wilson Central down 46-34.
"We are a young team, and there's a maturity factor that we need in order to stay in games," Bond said.
The loss dropped the Wildcats to 16-9 overall and 6-4 in District 9-AAA contests.
Leading the way was Gallatin's Brien Hunter with 19 points.
For Wilson Central, Kelten Stewart tossed in 11 points, Clemons added eight, Kody Woodard seven, JaJuan Brooks and Daniel Palmer six each, Travis Adkins four, Arcavius McMurray three and Preston Jenkins a free throw.
The Wildcats play host to rival Mt. Juliet on Tuesday night.
Staff Writer Kimberly Jordan can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 44 or by e-mail at kimberly.jordan@lebanondemocrat.com.