POLK WILDKITTEN Maclain Yowarsky saw her first significant game time Friday night since sustaining an injury earlier in the month. She helped lead her Polk girls to a win over Hamilton Heights. Banner photo, Reece Rutland
With the return of Wildkitten Maclain Yowarsky, the girls were able to capture a 51-38 victory.
The boys fought hard, but an offensive explosion in the third quarter by the Hawks put the game out of reach. It ended with a 49-42 Polk loss.
It was a good night for the Wildkittens as they came on strong in the second half to capture a victory.
The win snaps a four-game skid and brings the girls squad back to .500 on the season.
Yowarsky, who saw her first amount of significant playing time since injuring her ankle earlier this month, led the Wildkittens with 13 points.
Emily Wilson also helped lead the team, netting 12 in the winning effort.
Hawks 49, Wildcats 42
It was a tight game in the boys matchup, with both teams being separated by a point or less in three of the four quarters.
Both teams entered the half in a good position, with the Hawks holding a slight 20-19 advantage.
However, a Hamilton Heights offensive explosion occurred in the third quarter with the Hawks netting 16 points, to the Wildcats 9.
Polk battled back and outpaced their opponents in the fourth, but it was too large of a margin to overcome as they fell.
The Wildcats were led by strong performances from Alex Akins, who put 15 on the board, and Evan Ball, who had 14 points.
Up next for the Polk County basketball teams is the opening round of the ‘Battle of the States Christmas Tournament’ at Towns County High School in Blairsville, Ga.
Tournament play for teams opens on Dec. 27 against their host Towns County, with the girls starting at 7 p.m. and the boys tipping off at 8:30 p.m.
Game Summaries
Girls
Polk County 7 11 14 18 — 51
Hamilton Heights 3 14 4 17 — 38
Wildkittens (51) — Maclain Yowarsky 13, Emily Wilson 12, Johnson 2, Hatcher 8, McLain 2, Epperson, Greer 7, Haynes 6, Potts, Miles.
Lady Hawks (Final Score) — Helen Simoes 21, Zurauskaite 4, Savic, Rainer 4, Key, Madzarevic 7, Zorca.
3-point Goals: Polk County 4 (Yowarsky 3, Wilson); Hamilton Heights 1 (Simoes).
Records: Polk County 5-5; Hamilton Heights 4-5.
Boys
Polk County 11 8 9 14 — 42
Hamilton Heights 11 9 16 13 — 49
Wildcats (42) — Alex Akins 15, Evan Ball 14, Hutcheson 2, Ragona 4, Brewer 7.
Hawks (49) — Rokas Paulauskas 16, Filip Goncalves 12, Vilibor Njegovanovic 10, Moxey, Manteiro 7, Reno 3.
3-point Goals: Polk County 4 (Akins 2, Ball 2); Hamilton Heights 4 (Goncalves 2, Njegovanovic, Reno).
Free Throws: Polk County 14-of-21; Hamilton Heights 9-of-19.
Records: Polk County 3-6; Hamilton Heights 5-4.
