Palestine WILDCATS
TAYLOR HONEA Sports Writer sports @ palestineherald . com
The Palestine Wildcats and LadyCats both turned in successful seasons in the 2023-24 basketball season , with both teams making their way multiple rounds deep into the playoffs .
The LadyCats fought through adversity all year , clawing their way through the district schedule , and earning the final playoff spot in District 18-4A with an 11-22 overall . The LadyCats then knocked off District 17 champion Center in the first round of the playoffs , 71-58 .
The LadyCats signature win of the year came in late January in the second of two battles with district rival Rusk . The LadyCats had a six-point lead late in the fourth quarter , but the Lady Eagles would come back and tie the game late , sending the contest into overtime . No points were scored in the first overtime , but freshman Sydney Hughes took control in the second overtime , sending Palestine to a 76-71 win . The win proved to be monumental in the LadyCats season , as they would use the momentum gained to go on to defeat Hudson the next week , solidifying the LadyCats playoff bid .
The LadyCats will be hampered next season by the departure of multi year standout Jay ’ Anna Johnson , and sharpshooting forward Brianna Johnson , who both will graduate with the class of 2024 . But , Palestine will return three starters in Hughes , Mo Day and Nala Wiggins , as well as their second and third units . Next season will be the second consecutive season for Palestine with only two seniors , Nadia and Nala Wiggins .
The Wildcats , on the other hand , will lose several key members from this season ’ s 20-game winning squad .
The Wildcats turned in another great season in 2023-24 , finishing in second place of the District 18-4A standings with a district record of 8-2 . Palestine played a tough , yet smart , brand of basketball this season , as evidenced by their record in games separated by less than 10-points , going 8-5 in said games , and all against eventual playoff teams .
This year ’ s Wildcats truly had it all on the basketball court . Seniors K ’ Mari Gipson and L ’ Kaysin Martin held the wings with authority , and big men Gerlle Abrams and Perry Cole locked down the painted area . Palestine was also blessed with the option of two solid players to fill out their starting rotation , between freshman point guard Khalil Davis and junior guard Jackson , who brought different skill sets to the starting group , giving Palestine as many , or more , talented and experienced players as any team in East Texas .
Another severely underestimated aspect of the Wildcats was their bench play , with senior Jordan Walker able to come off the bench and run the offense more than effectively as the team ’ s sixth-man . Sophomore guard S ’ Viorean Martin was maybe the most underrated player in the district this year , coming of the bench to lockdown the oppositions best scoring option , regardless of position .
The Wildcats starting line will look significantly different next year with the graduation of five players , but have the returning talent to make noise again next season , and have a more than a legitimate chance to make another playoff run .
10 SPRING EDITION 2024