Wildcats take their lumps
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ken Littlejohn had 18 points against Broome and scored 14 in a loss to Southside on Saturday.

The new year hasn't started out to Blacksburg boys basketball coach Travis Miller's liking.

The Wildcats dropped to 0-5 in the region following weekend losses to Broome and Southside.

Top-ranked Southside opened up a 64-18 halftime lead en route to a 91-42 victory on Saturday. The Wildcats were more competitive in an 86-60 loss Friday against Broome.

Blacksburg went on a 13-0 run to take the lead in the second quarter. Rashad Earls, Dante Brown and Ken Littlejohn hit 3s to spark the surge.

But the Centurions answered with a 22-10 run for a 45-37 lead at halftime. Stephen Burgess hit three straight 3s to extend the Centurions' lead to 65-41 in the third quarter.

Burgess had seven 3s for the game. He finished with a game-high 23 points.

Littlejohn paced the Wildcats with 18 points.

Against Southside, Miller said the Wildcats were simply overmatched.

"Southside is just a much better team," Miller said. "They have experience. They lost in the state final last year and they'll likely be back this season."

Littlejohn had 14 points to lead the Wildcats.

Despite the lopsided score, Elmore, Brown and Earls stood out against Southside.

"Those players gave it everything they had," he said.

The Wildcats will host Chesnee on Friday.

Miller said the Wildcats will use the layoff to regroup, especially defensively.

"The last two games our defense was nonexistent," Miller said.

In girls' action, the Lady Wildcats remained winless in the region with a 77-18 loss to Broome. Catherine Tate led Blacksburg with seven points. Brittany Babb hauled down 12 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats.