Despite struggling with perimeter shooting, the Wildcats held a double-digit lead much of the night to sink the visiting Bulldogs in a Cass 1A Trico League contest.
La Center made only one 3-pointer. But a 24-point second quarter put the Wildcats in front by 13 points, a margin they were able to maintain in the second half.
The win puts second-place La Center (8-5, 6-1 Trico) two games ahead of third-place Kalama (7-7, 4-3).
Will Rice scored 18 points to lead La Center. Jake Wise grabbed nine rebounds and Sawyer Bierscheid three assists for the Wildcats.
Hunter Esary led Kalama with 12 points.
La Center coach Jon Schroeder called it a grind-it-out night on offense for his Wildcats. Schroeder said Kalama did a nice job defending the perimeter, forcing his team to execute on offense.
LA CENTER 65, KALAMA 52
KALAMA — Blake Stemkoski 5, Isaac Truesdell 9, Jonas VanSkike 0, Austin Dines 5, Hunter Esary 12, Jared Caldwell 9, Cameron Walker 7, Victor Leatzow 3, Tanner Stemkoski 0, Casey Sweet 2. Totals 16 (6) 14-21 52.
LA CENTER — Dalton Morgan 9, Chase Davidson 9, Will Rice 18, Wyatt Aguirre 6, Sawyer Bierscheid 9, Brody Seter 4, Sean Nolan 0, Jake Morris 2, Max Hiller 4, Matt Bahr 0, Jack Hiller 0, Jake Wise 4. Totals 21 (1) 22-33 65.
Kalama 6 17 13 16—52
La Center 12 24 16 13—65
JV — La Center 51-31.
