Story By Eli Sampson

Bears  knocks off 6A  No.4 Gadsden City in Thriller

 Plainview delivered a statement win on Saturday night, knocking off 6A powerhouse Gadsden City, 58–54, in a hard-fought battle that featured momentum swings, clutch shots, and poise down the stretch.

Gadsden City won the opening tip and scored immediately to get on the board, but Plainview answered with buckets of its own to keep the Titans’ high-powered attack in check. A three-pointer from Cy Traylor cut the Gadsden City lead to three, and the Titans held a 16–13 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter turned in Plainview’s favor. The two teams traded baskets early, but Plainview found momentum and went on a quick 6–0 run to tie the game at 21–21, forcing Gadsden City to call a timeout. Plainview came out of the break with even more energy, knocking down two three-pointers to take a six-point lead and prompting another Titans timeout. The Bears continued to capitalize, scoring on multiple offensive rebounds, and carried a 30–23 lead into halftime.

Gadsden City came out strong to open the second half, clawing back to tie the game at 31–31. Plainview responded with a run of its own to regain the lead at 38–33. The Titans continued to battle and closed the gap, but a huge three-pointer from Jay Williams helped Plainview hold a slim 42–40 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle with several lead changes. Jay Williams buried another clutch three to give Plainview a 51–49 advantage, but Gadsden City answered with two free throws on the next possession. Plainview called a timeout with the score tied 51–51 and two minutes remaining.

Sawyer Wilborn went to the free-throw line and knocked down one of two to give Plainview a 52–51 lead, but Gadsden City responded with a massive corner three to go back on top, 54–52, with one minute left. On the ensuing possession, Grant Nickelson delivered a huge and-one to put Plainview back in front, 55–54. The Bears then came up with a critical defensive stop and maintained possession with seven seconds remaining.

The Bears had four players in double figures, led by Grant Nickelson with 18 points, Jay Williams scored 13 points, Owen Hoped scored 11 points, and Sawyer Wilborn added 10 points. 

Plainview improved to 13-3 on the season. 

Friday Night

Plainview took control early and never looked back in a 69–56 win over Madison County, using defensive intensity and hustle plays to secure the victory.

The Bears won the opening tip and immediately set the tone in the first quarter, playing with high intensity on both ends of the floor. Plainview executed offensively and capitalized on Madison County turnovers, turning them into points to jump out to an early 10–5 lead, forcing Madison County to call a timeout. Madison County responded by chipping away at the deficit, but Plainview maintained its advantage and carried a 19–17 lead into the second quarter.

Momentum shifted early in the second quarter as Madison County found easy points off offensive rebounds, taking a 25–22 lead. Plainview answered by increasing its defensive pressure and converting defense into offense, reclaiming the lead at 29–27 and forcing Madison County to call another timeout. The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, but Plainview’s defensive intensity proved to be the difference as the Bears took a 34–32 lead into halftime.

Plainview came out swinging in the third quarter, using hustle and offensive rebounding to build a 10-point lead. The Bears controlled the remainder of the quarter, highlighted by two huge three-point shots from Sawyer Wilborn and Janzen Currie, which helped propel Plainview to a commanding 60–48 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final period, Plainview remained in control by managing possessions and continuing to get defensive stops. The Bears maintained their lead throughout the quarter and closed out the game for a 69–56 victory over Madison County.

Sawyer Wilborn led the Bears with 16 points, Owen Hope scored 15 points, Grant Nickelson scored 13 points, and Jay Williams added 11 points. 

Plainview improved to 12-3 (5-0) on the season. 

Varsity Girls 

Saturday Night

Plainview 57, Gadsden City 39

The Lady Bears led at the end of each quarter (15-9, 31-24, 46-34, 57-39). 

Sawyer Kate Hulgan led Plainview with 20 points, Piper Anderson scored 13 points, and Jaxon Bruce added 11 points. 

Plainview improves to 19-2 on the season. 

Friday Night

Plainview 81, Madison County 26

The Lady Bears led at the end of each quarter ( 30-8, 45-16, 69-20, 81-26) 

Sawyer Kate Hulgan led Plainview with 29 points, Piper Anderson scored 15 points, Jaxon Bruce scored 14 points, and Lily Currie added 10 points. 

The Lady Bears improve to 18-2 (5-0) on the season.