Game Audio Below:
The Willow Springs Bears played their first game of 2026, coming out of Christmas Break on the road to Licking, Missouri to face the Licking Wildcats.
While the Wildcats had plenty of surges of offensive pressure, The Bears were able to pull out a successful ten-point victory.
1st Quarter: Tip controlled by the Willow Springs Bears as Senior, Kolby James shoots the first two pointer of the night for the Bears. On the first possession for the Licking, the Wildcats try to pull off the shot but to no avail. Ball taken back by the Bears and put back in by Kolby James as they take a 5-0 lead. Licking continues to struggle to get off a first shot as Bears get another steal and Kaden Lee shoots the two pointer, Bears with a 7-0 lead with under five minutes to go in the First Quarter.
Finally, a shot is good by Sophomore, Jason Ingram for the Licking Wildcats. Taken back by the Bears and a baseline jumper is good by Brady Thompson for the Willow Bears. Bears getting some early shots over the back. A very first moving first quarter for the Bears as definitely, the momentum takes a little shift towards the end of the Quarter but still enough pressure for quick steals.
Ingram for the Wildcats tries to get off a shot out of bounds as Bears try for another steal, but end up keeping the ball this time. James Dean for the Bears trying towards the end for a steal to keep during the last part of the Quarter. By this point,, Bears have racked up at least four team fouls.
Wildcats begin to maintain a steady, offensive pressure as Senior guard, Karson Walker shoots the first three for the Wildcats.
What was as much of a seven point lead for the Bears goes down to five as they lead the Licking Wildcats, 20-15 after one.
2nd Quarter: Bears main challenge is now controlling Senior Karson Walker for the Licking Wildcats. While they still seem to have quite a bit of luck with steals, they momentarily have some issues getting the ball back to Kolby James who typically proves to be able to hold the Bears at quite a few points.
Ingram with another three for the Wildcats who has been able to speed up the flow in being able to keep pace with the Bears quick steals.
Bears manage to set up early for the last shot as they are able to hold the Wildcats by seven in the Final minutes, which is well composed and put in by Kolby James.
HALFTIME- Willow Springs Bears: 35/ Licking Wildcats: 27
3rd Quarter: Jason Ingram with a wide open three to kick off the 2nd Half for the Licking Wildcats. But rebounded and two points each for Brady Thompson and Kolby James for the Willow Bears. Bears go up by Ten, 39-29 with 5:10 to go in Second Quarter. Some great defense played as Thompson for the Bears forces a charge call on the Wildcats.
Karson Walker with at least five points as he continues to be the star on the night for the Wildcats, but now with an evened up number of fouls.
Ingram with another three as The Bears defense misses an opportunity to steal the ball back. But taken back by Brady Friga for the Bears with two more. Bears hold with a nine point lead with under a minute to go in the Quarter, still fighting a surge of momentum by the Wildcats.
Brady Friga plays the last few points in the Quarter at the free-throw lines for the pears. While shooting percentage has been down on the night, but shoots 1-2.
Bears have the lead by ten 48-38 , but outscored 13-11 at the end of three.
4th Quarter: An eight point deficit at the start of the Quarter as Ingram shoots and scores on the wide open layup.
Finally a steal and a much needed stop by Kolby James as Bears take the lead back to ten.
Bears seem to be missing some shots and rebounds, mainly off the hands of guard Jason Ingram for the Licking Wildcats.
A much needed three by Brady James, Bears finally back to a substantial thirteen point lead as the five point mark approaches.
Licking looks to spread out into a press on defensive in the final few minutes, but Bears have all of their starters as they look to continue their exceptional ball handling to finish things out. Ingram tries at least twice to get off another three, but blocked by Kolby James.
Conway Adey who holds up the mid part of scoring on the night for the Wildcats is able to successfully pull off the last set off critical rebounds. Karson Walker successfully pulls off one last three pointer to hold the game at a ten point deficit.
Bears win the ballgame by ten, 48-38
The Bears will continue play on Friday night, January 9th as they take on The Hollister Tigers for Hoop Queen at Home.Game with usual start time of 7:30 and the Broadcast on KUKU 100.3 Classic Country
