Wildcats dominate in homecoming game

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WAELDER – Anyone curious about how well the Waelder boys basketball team performed Friday night needs to look no further than Clay Orona’s performance.

He scored 20 points off of six 3-pointers and a layup – all in the first quarter. Orona finished with a game-high 23 as he also hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter of the Wildcats’ 69-19 rout of the Weimar junior varsity team in Waelder’s annual homecoming game Friday at Waelder High School.

“I practice shooting 3s every day,” Orona said. “It’s hard work, not pure luck.”

The Wildcats were originally scheduled to face Prairie Lea for their homecoming game, but Prairie Lea had to forfeit the remainder of its season last month because of grade issues. Waelder (15-13, 5-1 in District 31-A-Division II) had to scramble to find a homecoming opponent, and Weimar agreed to send its JV team to face the Wildcats.

Waelder scored the game’s first 15 points as Orona, Tiburcio Blanton and Deondrae Fields scored 8, 5 and 2 points, respectively during the game-opening 15-0 spurt. Following a Weimar jumper, Orona hit four more 3-pointers to close out the opening period on a 12-0 run, which increased the Wildcats’ lead to 27-2 entering the second quarter.

Waelder’s 12-0 run which concluded the opening quarter turned into a 30-0 spurt as the Wildcats scored the first 18 points of the second quarter. Caleb Ibarra led Waelder with 8 points in the second period as the Wildcats built a 45-2 lead before Weimar hit a free throw right before halftime to make it 45-3 at intermission.

“We’ve been doing better on transition defense and passing the ball around to the guy open on the backside,” Ibarra said. “We’ve been working a lot on that.”

There was a scary moment for Waelder midway through the second quarter as Aaron Lee Wilson was pushed into the wall as he drove to the basket for a potential layup. Wilson was fine as he stood up seconds later before knocking down one of two free throws.

“I just have a bump on my head,” Wilson said. “That motivated me to try harder.”

Wilson scored 5 points in the third quarter to lead the Wildcats’ 15-7 run in the period to increase the lead to 60-10 entering the fourth quarter. Keyshawn Fields also had 4 points in the third.

The clock ran in the third and fourth quarters because of the lopsided halftime score. Both teams scored 9 points in the fourth as Arthur Aguilar led Waelder with 4 points in the period.

In addition to Orona’s game-high 23 points, Ibarra and Wilson had 10 and 8, respectively, while Aguilar had 6. Jeremy Gonzales had a game-high 10 assists, Sammy Gonzales posted a game-high 10 rebounds, and Troy Locke recorded a team-high 3 blocks.

“I was energized and the crowd pumped me up,” Locke said. “I’m improving every day and my teammates help me get there.”

At halftime, Joseph McCook was crowned the 2012-13 homecoming king. Waelder girls basketball player Jackie Garcia was crowned homecoming queen as well.

“I was shocked and excited at the same time,” McCook said. “I didn’t think I’d get it, but it was an honor and something I dreamed about as a kid.”

Garcia also noted that she was “honored” to be crowned homecoming queen. Like McCook, Garcia didn’t expect to be crowned.

Waelder has a bye tonight, and returns to district action Friday when it travels to Austwell-Tivoli. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Shiner 42, Ganado 40

The Comanches outscored Ganado, 15-12, in the fourth quarter to rally for a 42-40 victory over the Indians Friday in Ganado. Shiner (5-5, 4-1 in 29-A-DI) trailed 28-27 after three quarters of play.

Ganado led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter before the Comanches used a 10-3 second-quarter run to seize a 20-16 halftime lead. The Indians used a 12-7 third-quarter run to regain the lead, 28-27, heading into the final quarter before Shiner mounted a comeback.

Evel Jones and Caleb Kalich both recorded double-doubles in the win. Jones led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Kalich had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Comanches can clinch a playoff spot with a win against Flatonia tonight. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 at Shiner High School.

Luling 44, Karnes City 42

The Eagles rallied from an early 17-3 deficit to claim a 44-42 victory over Karnes City Friday at Karnes City. Luling (13-11, 4-5 in 28-2A) trailed 17-3 at the end of the first quarter before using a 20-4 run in the second quarter to rally for a 23-21 halftime lead.

The Badgers bounced back with a 15-8 third-quarter run to seize a 36-31 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Eagles then used a 13-6 run in the fourth to rally for the win.

Josh Alvarez led Luling with 17 points, while Brendan Cubit had 15. Juan Ordonez also had 7.

The Eagles host Poth at 7:30 p.m. today.

New Braunfels Christian 56, St. Paul 38

The Cardinals never recovered from a 15-4 first-quarter run as they succumbed to New Braunfels Christian, 56-38, Friday at New Braunfels Christian School. St. Paul (5-8, 4-5 in TAPPS 5-2A) matched the Wildcats point for point in the second quarter as both teams had 14 points in the period yet NBCA maintained an 11-point lead at halftime, 29-18.

The Wildcats used a 12-6 third-quarter run to build a 41-24 lead after three quarters of play. The Cardinals were outscored 15-14 in the fourth.

Colby Schrade led St. Paul with 13 points. Dakota Kresta had 8.

St. Paul visits Universal City First Baptist at 7 p.m. today.

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