Wharton drops their second straight to a bruised Bloomingdale squad, 50-38. Bloomingdale snapped their skid thanks to a strong performance from Newsome Wolves transfer, Joe Raga, and the Townsend-less Bulls defeat the struggling 'Cats.
Wharton looked to be off to yet another hot start. The Wildcats lead 11-5 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a few big shots by Stephen Simmons and Damian Dixon. Sophomore Drake Williams also added to the point total with a crafty reverse layup. Williams, got the start for Khiry White, whom was said to be dismissed from the team earlier this week.
Wharton, who held the heavy scoring Bloomingdale offense to just one made field goal in the first 10 minutes of regulation, continued their scoring woes in the second quarter. After taking the 11-5 lead at the end of the quarter, Raga and the Bulls scored 14 unanswered points on a run that lasted the entire second quarter. This marks the second consecutive game that the Wildcats have had 10-plus minutes of scoreless basketball and doesn't bode well for their chances of emerging victorious. The scoreless quarter left Wharton down 8 as both teams headed for the locker room at half.
Sophomore AJ Astroth finally ended the drought with a transition bucket in which he drew the foul but couldn't capitalize on the and 1 opportunity. On the next Bloomingdale possession, Simmons takes the charge and Owens finishes on the other end with one of his vintage basket moves and pulled the 'Cats with 6 late in the 3rd quarter. A few possessions later, Damian Dixon commits a hard foul on Bloomingdale's Rooks behind the arch. After limping to the free throw line, Rooks sinks all three to put the Bulls back up by double digits.
Wharton wasn't giving up yet. Led by senior co-captain Stephen Simmons and his hustle, after a few unanswered Wildcat buckets and a huge three point shot at the clock expires by Simmons, the Wildcats were only looking at a 4 point deficit at the end of the third quarter.
Joe Raga, who assumed the leadership role from an injured Callum Townsend, wouldn't let the 'Cats get within striking distance. His quickness off the dribble seem to trouble the 'Cats all night and his buckets seemed to come at every sign of distress. Raga's transition dunk put the Bulls up 15 and ended any hopes of a Wharton comeback. Both teams would trade baskets from that point on and Bloomingdale notched their 13 win on the year, dealing the Wildcats their 6th loss of the season.
Raga's senior leadership and Wharton's offensive woes ultimately dealt the 'Cats in. Wharton falls to 8-6 (3-5). Wharton will travel to Tampa Bay Tech on Thursday in hopes to right the ship.
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