Alex Kingbird goes in for a layup among traffic on the court.

The Wildcat varsity basketball team went into its opener against Baldwin confident they could beat the Indians.

They got a rude surprise on the road the Tuesday before Thanksgiving as Baldwin handed them a 61-45 loss. Baldwin was hitting on all cylinders, with four of their starting five in double figures.

Baldwin spread around the scoring, while the Wildcats struggled offensively. The game stayed close in the first quarter with Charles Ruise Jr. hitting a three pointer. The Indians got six points from Alex Williamson to lead 13-9.

But the Indians blew the game open in the second period, going on a 19-6 run as the Wildcats committed fouls and Baldwin converted. The Cats trailed 32-15 at the half.

The Cats played basket for basket in the third period, with Baldwin relying on 3-pointers from Josh Whitlow and Marcus Gamble to stay ahead. But despite out scoring the Indians 14-13 in the fourth period they could not claw their way back.

Jonathan Lamb led the Cats with 10 points. Darryl Johnson had 9 and C. C. Jefferson 5   points.

The Wildcats travel to Oakleaf on Thursday, December 1 and West Nassau the following day before returning home on December 6 to play Paxon.

Varsity tips off at 7:30 pm and junior varsity at 6 pm.