The Wiregrass Ranch Bulls boys basketball team defeated the Gaither Cowboys Friday night in a close game, with the final score of 51-45. In conjunction with the game, the Bulls celebrated their annual Senior Night in which they commemorated the following senior players: Elijah Howell,  Logan Ghoumari, Tyreek Green, and Robert Burnett. The team also recognized senior manager Mari Pita.

“Senior night was fun and made me realize how close the season is to being over,” Logan Ghoumari stated.

The Bulls began the game with a different starting lineup for this occasion, as head coach Jeremy Calzone started all of his senior players alongside center Jacob McCaslin.

The first quarter was not a good showing of effort by the Bulls as they could not seem to find any easy looks for a basket, but guard Elijah Howell was able to keep the team afloat scoring six of the Bulls twelve points. The Bulls played below acceptable defense, and allowed the Cowboys to score 15 to end the quarter with a score of 15-12.

The second quarter was quite similar to the first; the Bulls struggled to get baskets, but they were better on the defensive side. The Bulls allowed several second chance opportunities off of the offensive glass, even with great shot defense, and could not finish in the interior as the Cowboys’ defense appeared to be working hard for stops. The scoring in the second quarter between the two teams was very close, with Gaither in the lead ending the half 27-23.

The Bulls shifted the momentum of the game in the third quarter, playing great defense and grabbing rebounds. This was also the first quarter in which the Bulls outscored the Cowboys. Even with the improved play of the Bulls, it was not enough to propel them, as they still trailed 35-34.

The fourth quarter proved most impressive for the Bulls. They pushed the pace and were able to score efficiently and drew several fouls along the way, bringing the score to 45-45. The Bulls played great defense forcing five turnovers in a period of one and a half minutes. These turnovers were the seal of victory for the Bulls as they kept the Cowboys scoreless and pulled ahead by six points.

“Our players played very well towards the end of the game. Brian played well in the closing minutes of the game to help us win,” head coach Jeremy Calzone explained.

The most notable take away of the fourth quarter was that senior guard Elijah Howell scored his one thousandth career point as a Wiregrass Ranch Bull. Coming into the game, Howell needed 12 points to reach the milestone; he scored 18 points and ended the game with 1006 total career points.

“It was a really great feeling, I knew I was really close, so I wanted to hit it tonight in front of all my family and friends. Not too many people can say they’ve scored a thousand points,” Howell said.

The Bulls will take on the Sunlake Seahawks on Tuesday, January 29, at 7:30 p.m., and will look to improve their record to 12-9.