In a season as long as boys basketball, one loss isn’t typically damaging, especially one early in the season. The Woods Cross Wildcats opened the season with a loss to Spanish Fork but have plenty of chances to get on the winning track. 

The season-opening loss to Spanish Fork on Nov. 21 was a defensive struggle, a 46-42 setback for the Wildcats. It also ended a streak of five consecutive wins on opening night for the Wildcats. 

Had it not been for a rough offensive outing in the second quarter in which the Wildcats scored just six points, the game might have resulted in a victory. 

Woods Cross and Spanish Fork were all knotted up a 11-11 at the end of the first quarter. Fortunately for Woods Cross, Springville only had eight points in the second, giving the Dons a slim 19-17 lead at the break. That lead swelled to 34-29 after three quarters. The Wildcats couldn’t quite muster enough to make the comeback as they fell by four. 

Woods Cross made 14 field goals to 18 for the Dons. On the bright side, the Wildcats shot well from the foul line, making nine of 11 attempts. 

Hunter Jackson led all scorers in the contest with 18 points. Half of his points came off his three three-pointers. Teammate Hayden Poulton had 10 points in a losing effort. But only two other Wildcats got in the scoring column during a challenging offensive night for the team. 

The good news for Woods Cross is they have eight more games before Region 5 play begins. This stretch begins Friday with a game at Logan. 

Woods Cross went 18-5 last season under head coach Josh Margetts. The Wildcats won Region 5 by three games, posting a 9-1 mark. It could be a rebuilding year for the Wildcats, who lost their top five scorers from a year ago. Jackson is the leading returning scorer from last year. The senior chipped in 2.4 points a contest in 2022–23. Poulton scored just nine fewer points in this season’s opener than he did all of last year.