Wharton 65, Brandon 45

Wharton, led by the hot hand of Damian “Never Missin” Dixon, cruised to their 10th win of the season.

Dixon scored a career high 28 points and dropped 7 three pointers, Stephen Simmons added 11, and Owens chipped in 10 as the ‘Cats topped their rival’s the Brandon Eagles at “The Nest”, 65-45.

Wharton only scored 8 points in the first quarter but used a strong second, yes I said strong second, to pull away from the Eagles. Owens started the game off with a nasty block as well as started the scoring for the Wildcats with a strong post move on their first offensive possession. Simmons also added a three pointer to give the ‘Cats the 8-3 lead headed into the third.

However in the second quarter, Wharton reversed their second-quarter curse by outscoring their opponent 18-4. Led by the three-point shooting of Dixon, the Wildcats increased their lead to 26-7 at the end of the first half. Simmons also added another last second bucket, this time by way of a layup as the clock ran out.

Dixon’s three pointer to start the third from the Litton dish showed the break didn’t slow the ‘Cats offense down. Litton’s two free throws gave the ‘Cats a 31-7 lead with 6 minutes left in the third. It took the struggling Eagles 20 minutes of play to finally eclipse the 10 point mark. Wharton pushed their lead to 42-16 before Bastian cleared the bench. Wharton led 42-20 at the end of the 3rd.

The only bright spot for Brandon tonight was how they finished the third and started the fourth against Wharton’s second string. Bastian put the starters back in after the Eagles cut it to 17 early in the third. Once Dixon touched the ball, the ‘Cats were back up by 20 points. Dixon finished with what might be a Wharton record 7 three pointers. With 28 points to his name, Nick Swain checked in for Dixon and the junior headed for the bench with everything left on the floor.

Swain added a pair of free throws that put Wharton up 61-37. The two benches went back and forth and the ‘Cats completed the regular season sweep of their arch rival, 65-45. Garry Volcy added a crafty coast-to-coast layup splitting the Brandon press as the clock expired to put an exclamation point the Wharton victory.

One would have to go back to the Wildcats magical 2006-2007 season for another performance similar to this magnitude. Ironically, Adam Noble, who is now the Wildcat’s Assistant Coach, dropped 5 three pointers in the first half against Brandon on that very floor. Dixon’s performance was one for the ages and will give him and the ‘Cats a great confidence boost for the final stretch of the season over the span of the next two weeks.

Wharton improves to 10-7 (5-6) and will face the first place Newsome Wolves in Lithia this Friday night.