The La Center Wildcats boys basketball team held onto the lead until a forgettable fourth quarter effort cost them a win against the Seton Catholic Cougars on Friday, Jan. 5.
The Wildcats stepped into the fourth quarter with a 41-36 lead over the 1A Trico League opponent but could only score six points and lost to Seton Catholic, 55-47. Seton Catholic rallied in the latter half of the fourth quarter for 19 points in the period to win a game in which the team missed many 3-point opportunities.
La Center capitalized on 3-pointers but lost their rhythm in the fourth quarter. Cougar Kaiden Wilson, a 6-foot-4 freshman, put up two blocks that halted the Wildcats’ possible comeback while down six points.
“We just couldn’t handle the pressure at the end,” La Center head coach Jeremy Ecklund said.
The Wildcats slid to 2-9 on the season, 1-1 in league play following the loss.
“This is one of the top teams in our league, and we battled with them the entire way,” Ecklund said. “So, you know, we have things we can build upon, but I liked our energy and effort tonight.”
The Wildcats will play two games at home this week as they look to improve their standings.
La Center hosts King’s Way Christian High School at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10 and Columbia-White Salmon High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12.
