The streak is over.
For years the Licking Wildcats have dominated the boys’ varsity version of The Big Cat Classic against the Salem Tigers.
That changed Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Bolting to a fast start with a big first quarter, Salem opened its season with a 53-45 victory over their Big Cat Rival Nov. 25 in Licking.
The victory ended a 14-year Tiger losing skid in The Big Cat Classic, dating back to 2011.
The Tigers opened the season in fine fashion, putting up 23 points in the first quarter to take a 12-point advantage into the second period.
Licking whittled away the rest of the half, outscoring Salem 13-7 in the second quarter - canning three 3-pointers - to cut its halftime deficit to 30-24.
However, the Tigers limited the Wildcats to just six 3rd-quarter points on a pair of treys to increase their edge to 41-30 entering the final period.
There would be no comeback by the home team, as Salem hit some free throws down the stretch and outscored the Wildcats 15-12 the rest of the way.
“We came out ready to play in this game,” said Salem head coach Jared Patterson. “We created turnovers and hit some big shots to start the game and get out to an early lead. Some fouls in the second and third quarters allowed Licking to get back into the game. Anytime we went on a run Licking would hit a couple threes to stay close.
“We finished the game strong with some breakaway layups and offensive rebounds. Salem hasn’t won this game since 2011, so this was an important game for our boys. Licking is always an extremely tough place to win and Licking has a young, talented team. But with so much of our experience coming back for us, we won it in the end.”
Senior guard Braiden Gapsch finished with a game-high 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals while senior forward Lincoln Thomas had 13 points and four rebounds; senior forward Gavin Sapaugh grabbed 10 rebounds; senior forward Isaac Headrick eight rebounds, and junior guard Ryan Cunningham made two steals. The Tigers hit six 3-pointers - three by Thomas.
Senior guard Karson Walker netted 17 points and sophomore forward Jason Ingram 14 to pace the Wildcats, who defeated Laquey 69-50 Saturday, Nov. 29 in the first round of the Frisco League Tournament and now stand at 1-1 overall.
Salem also won the junior varsity game 52-25.
Salem is seeded third for this week’s Sullivan FCNB Bank-It Invitational, to be held Monday through Friday, Dec. 1-5 at Sullivan High School.
Potosi is the top-seeded team in the tourney while St. James is seeded No. 2, Salem No. 3, Warrenton No. 4, Steelville No. 5, Cuba No. 6, STL Patriots No. 7 and Sullivan No. 8.
In first-round games Monday, it was Potosi vs. Sullivan, Warrenton vs. Steelville, St. James vs. STL Patriots and Salem vs. Cuba.
Salem will play again in the tournament Wednesday, Dec. 3 - at 5:30 p.m. in consolation if it loses Monday and at 8:30 p.m. in the semifinals if it wins Monday.
Friday, Dec. 5 the seventh-place game is slated for 4 p.m., the fifth-place game for 5:30 p.m., the third-place game for 7 p.m. and the championship game for 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 25 at Licking
Salem 53, Licking 45
The individual scoring:
Salem (1-0): Cunningham 1-0-3, Thomas 4-2-13, Connors 2-0-4, Gapsch 9-1-21, Headrick 1-0-2, Sapaugh 3-0-6, Wofford 1-2-4, Totals 21-5-53.
Licking (1-1): Walker 5-4-17, Blankenship 1-0-3, Adey 4-0-8, Buckner 1-0-3, Ingram 5-0-14, Totals 16-4-45.
The score by periods:
Salem 23 7 11 12-53
Licking 11 13 6 15-45
