MHS - Men's Basketball / December 25, 2019 By Kasey McDowell
Friday, December 20, 2019, The Mulvane Wildcats varsity boys basketball team defeated the Wellington Crusaders, 58-51, heading into Christmas break, finishing at .500, 3-3 on the young season.
Lead by Jr. Trey Abasolo, who had 21 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. His second double double of the season so far. Abasolo is currently one of the state’s top scorers, all classes 6A-1A, at 23.7 points per game. 
“Rebounding and defense is a huge part of our early success this season and including Friday against Wellington, we have to find a way to continue to get better defensively and not be satisfied” said Head Coach Mike Abasolo.
Sr. Michael Manis had a great game with 16 points, shooting 100% from the field, and 6 rebounds. So. Mason Ellis finished with 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist. Sr. Gage Gerlach contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. So. Ian Comer had 5 points and a game high 5 assists. 
“We don’t win that game without the defensive effort of Sr. Luke Coffey” said Coach Abasolo.
Statistically, Sr. Luke Coffey only had 1 rebound and 2 steals, but he frustrated the Crusaders top scorers all night to allow the Wildcats to keep an edge offensively and allow their scorers to get them their third victory of the season.
VAR 1 2 3 4 Final
MHS: 10 16 20 12 58
WHS: 17 10 13 11 51
The JV team won 47-45 in a close game over the Crusaders. The Cats came out hot with a 19-2 first quarter but the Crusaders climbed back into the game, but the Cats held on for the 2 point win. Junior Aaron Ballinger lead the Cats with 14 points and sophomore Mason Ellis finished with 11 points. Sophomore Sam Westfall finished with 9 points, sophomore Ian Comer with 7, junior Trent Billingslea with 4 points, and junior Canon Smith with 2 points.
JV 1 2 3 4 Final
MHS: 19 13 7 8 47
WHS: 2 17 10 13 45
The C-team struggled against the Crusaders as they fell 39-61. Freshman Ethan Kasparek and Christian Duranleau both lead the cats with 14 points each and freshman Logan Harness finished with 6 points, freshman Easton Groth with 3 points, and freshman Ethan Tharp with 2 points.
C 1 2 3 4 Final
MHS: 13 8 8 10 39
WHS: 16 17 18 10 61
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019, The Wildcats hosted the Collegiate Spartans in the opening of AVCTL D4 league play. The Cats had trouble containing the Spartans in the first half as they went into halftime down 22-39. They had a much better 2nd half, outscoring the Spartans 30-24 but just couldn't quite make up the deficit and lost 52-63.
Trey Abasolo lead the Cats with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Michael Manis lead the Cats on the boards with 9 rebounds and finished with 8 points. Ian Comer finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Mason Ellis finished with 5 points and 2 rebounds, Gage Gerlach with 4 points and 2 rebounds, Luke Coffey with 4 points and 6 rebounds, and Aaron Ballinger with 3 points.
VAR 1 2 3 4 Final
MHS: 9 13 7 23 52
WHS: 20 19 15 9 63
The JV team only played 2 quarters as there was not enough quarters to go around for the evening and the Spartans jumped on the Cats early and won 46-23. The Cats were lead by Sam Westfall who finished with 9 points, Ian Comer with 6 points, Trent Billingslea, Aaron Ballinger, and Tyson Lazier all with 2 points, and Mason Ellis and Canon Smith with 1 point.
JV 1 2 3 4 Final
MHS: - - 13 10 23
WHS: - - 24 22 46
The C-team had a decent 1st quarter but the Spartans jumped ahead after that and held on for a 59-42 win. The C-team was lead by Ethan Kasparek with 15 points followed by Logan Harness with 9 points, Christian Duranleau and Sam Westfall with 6 points, Tyson Lazier with 4 points, and Kelton Boster with 2 points.
C 1 2 3 4 Final
MHS: 4 9 10 19 42
WHS: 8 17 23 11 59
The Wildcats will resume action on Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 as they travel to Halstead for a non-conference matchup and will resume league play on Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 when they host the Clearwater Indians.
