Since 2017, the Logan-Rogersville Wildcats have won six District Championships. Last season, they went all the way to the State Quarter Finals before losing to Father Tolton Catholic. This year, they’re 4-1 and looking to keep the Wildcats’ reputation as one of the best Class 4 teams in Southwest Missouri in good favor.
To start the season, the Wildcats placed third after going 2-1 in the Eagle Invitational at Lee’s Summit on Dec. 1. They lost to Metro Academy in the second round 45-38.
Chase Branham has entered the varsity squad as a six-foot-two freshman and has been already making a statement on the court. He scored 18 of Rogersville’s 34 points in the first half.
Branham has already received an offer from a Division One NCAA team with Austin Peay University giving him an offer in October to play for the Governors.
“He’s able to leak out and get a lot of easy baskets in transition,” said head coach John Schaefer. “He’s our leading scorer right now with an average of about 18 points per game.”
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Wildcats hosted the Branson Pirates for their home opener.
The Wildcats defeated the Pirates 71-38 after effectively running the court the entire game.
“Branson played five guards which allowed us to cheat out a lot more than we normally do,” explained Shaefer. “We were able to score a lot on fast breaks and extend our lead.”
Branham had 20 points. Scott Motz, a six-foot-six senior, had 17. Stewart McDonald, a senior, scored nine points.
The Wildcats hit the road again on Friday, Dec. 15 to go to Howell County and take on the West Plains Zizzers, a Class 5 team. The Zizzers were 0-5 coming into the matchup after losing on the road to Rogers, Willard, Mountain Home, and Poplar Bluff.
“West Plains has played some tough teams coming into the game,” added Schaefer. “It was a physical game.”
Both teams playing zone defenses led to limited possessions and the final score was 57-44 with the Wildcats taking the win.
Branham scored 20 points. Motz ended the night with 14 points. Jase Pettifurd, a junior, had 10 points.
Logan-Rogersville takes on Willard on Tuesday, Dec. 19 on the road for their next matchup. They will take on Liberty (Mountain Grove) the following Thursday, Dec. 21.
The Wildcats will then enter the biggest tournament on their schedule with the Blue and Gold on Tuesday, Dec. 26. They take on the Camdenton Lakers in the first round. The Cats are the number four seed in the Blue Division of the tournament.
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