Wildcats clean up in District Awards after historic season

The Sulphur Springs Wildcats entered the 2022-2023 with lofty expectations, with both fans and outside sources alike setting an incredibly high bar. The Wildcats answered back with an equally incredible season, setting a school record for wins in a season and making their second trip to the Regional Tournament in just five years. 

For Sulphur Springs basketball, the preseason expectations always seem to be high, as they’ve had a ton of success in recent years. This year was no different, as they entered the season as a Top-10 team in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll. 

The Wildcats wasted no time meeting expectations, immediately picking up wins over ranked opponents in Wilmer-Hutchins and Dallas Lincoln. From there, Sulphur Springs continued to meet and even exceed expectations, going 21-7 in the pre-district potion of their schedule, losing only to 5A and 6A schools and other ranked opponents.

Their losses included Frisco Liberty, Mansfield, Fort Bend Marshall, Nacogdoches, Frisco Independence, Anna and Dallas Pinkston. After losing back-to-back games against ranked opponents in Anna and Dallas Pinkston, it was time to begin district play.

What Sulphur Springs proceeded to do in district play was nothing short of amazing, going undefeated and winning a second consecutive district title in just two years under Coach Brandon Shaver. The Wildcats didn’t just go a perfect 10-0 in district play, but did so in style, winning those 10 games by an average score of 64-41. Winning each game, on average, by over 20 points. 

Despite not playing a single-digit game in almost a month, the playoffs were here, and the Wildcats had to remain focused. Sulphur Springs was given a scare in the opening round of the playoffs by a well-coached Lindale team, but they got the win regardless, moving on to the Area Round of the playoffs. 

In the Area Round, the Wildcats learned from their close call, defeating Wilmer-Hutchins by double-digits. Next game a chance for revenge, going up against Dallas Pinkston in the Regional Quarterfinals, one of the few teams who handed them a loss in the regular season. With a chance at the Regional tournament on the line, the Wildcats handled business, beating Pinkston by a final score of 63-52.

Making the Regional Tournament is something every team dreams of, but few actually get to see through. Now facing the No. 1 ranked team in the state, the Wildcats had their toughest test yet against Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy. 

While the Wildcats trailed the entire time, they were able to get things as close as 50-47 with just a few minutes left to go. Unfortunately, that was as close as they were able to get it, as their incredible season would come to an end by a final score of 62-48.

With their historic season behind them, it was now time for district awards, for the 31-8 Wildcats. Not only did they break a school record for wins in a season, but they completely dominated in the district awards.

Superlative Awards

District MVP: Senior Kordrick Turner was named the District MVP, after an incredible season. Over the course of almost 40 games, Turner had a season any player would dream of, averaging 16.1 points and 9.6 rebounds. 

Turner was also the definition of efficiency, shooting 59% from the field on 11 attempts per game. The big man also showed to be unselfish, averaging 3.1 assists per game, a feat that would be impressive even for a guard, much less a center. 

While the entire team etched their names into the history books forever, Turner did so in numerous ways. The big man broke the single-season scoring record for Sulphur Springs, as well as breaking the record for most 10+ point games with 30. 

Turner also had the second-most rebounds in a season ever for a Sulphur Springs Wildcat, trailing only Sadadriene Hall, who is currently playing at Stephen F. Austin. The season Turner had will be remembered forever by Sulphur Springs fans, for numerous reasons, and now he has the District MVP to add to his impressive resume. 

Offensvie MVP: Turner was far from the only Wildcat to win a superlative award, as senior point guard Branson Lynn joined him by being named Offensive MVP. Lynn, like Turner, had a great season, contributing to the team in every way imaginable.

For the regular season, Lynn averaged 11.2 points per game, and did so in large part via the 3-pointer. His season beyond the arc is one of the most impressive in school history, racking up the second-most 3-pointers in a single season in school history, behind only Grayson McClure. 

Perhaps even more impressive, Lynn did so while being very efficient. Attempting six 3-pointer’s per game, Lynn finished with an incredible 41.2%. He also shot a very impressive 80.4% from the free throw line, while still managing to shoot over 40% from the field, making him a true example of efficiency and quantity.

Lynn also dished out 2.7 assists per game and forced 1.4 steals per game, making him somebody who contributed in every aspect. On top of all of that, Lynn led the team in another stat. Plus-Minus. 

Plus-Minus is a stat that measures the point differential for the team, while that player is on the floor. Lynn led the team with a +/- of +15.2 for the season. Meaning on average, the Wildcats outscored their opponents by 15 poitns per game, while Lynn was in the game. 

Future point guards, 3-point shooters, and team leaders alike, will look back on Lynn’s season for years to come, as inspiration and as an example.

Co-Newcomer of the year: For a team filled with seniors, Newcomer of the Year might be the hardest award to win for a player from the Sulphur Springs Wildcats. The award given to the player who had the best first year on varsity, sophomore Theo McKelvey got his varsity career off to quite the start.

A team who largely saw rotations of just seven or eight players and featured six seniors, there weren’t a ton of opportunities for underclassmen to play huge roles. McKelvey took advantage of every opportunity thrown his way, and winning Co-Newcomer of the Year is proof of just that. 

Though just a sophomore on a very experienced team, throughout the season McKelvey showed plenty of excitement for what’s to come. McKelvey also improved as the season went on, shooting just shy of 50% in the back half of district play. 

The sophomore also stepped his game up against better competition, scoring eight points and leading the team with a +5 +/- in their close loss to Dallas Pinkston. Setting a high bar and meeting the expectations has been the motto for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats in recent years, and the young McKelvey is doing exactly that to start his career.

Coach of the Year: The final superlative award for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats goes to coach Brandon Shaver. Shaver took over after the 2020-2021 season, and to say expectations were high would be a huge understatement. 

Despite most of the players from the team who went to State two years prior having already graduated, Shaver continued to set the bar higher and higher. Taking an established program and putting his own signature on it, players bought into Shaver’s leadership immediately.

In just two seasons as the head coach in Sulphur Springs, Shaver has led the team to a combined record of 59-19, including an impressive 5-2 postseason record and a trip to the Regional Tournament. Shaver also picked up his 100th career victory this season, doing so in their Area victory over Wilmer-Hutchins. 

Only once in school history has Sulphur Springs won more than 59 games over the course of two seasons, winning 30 games in back-to-back seasons, including their trip to the state tournament in 2019. To say Shaver’s first two seasons have been incredible would be an understatement, and a second consecutive Coach of the Year award is a reflection of that.

First Team All-District: Coming in at First Team All-District is senior guard Parker Whisenhunt, after being named Second Team All-District the season before. Whisenhunt had an incredible senior year, averaging 15 points per game.

During district play, his strong play continued, as he led the team in a number of categories. In their 10 district games Whisenhunt led the team in points per game (14), assists per game (3.7) and plus-minus (+23.5).

Much like Turner, he also etched his name into the history books forever, finishing just behind Turner for the second most points in a single-season. He did so while bringing tremendous effort on the defensive end, creating opportunities for himself and others on the other end. 

Whisenhunt has also been a fan-favorite, throwing down a number of memorable dunks, as well as always putting up his numbers with efficiency. Whisnehunt was also the definition of efficiency, shooting 50.9% from the field during district play and 51.2% from the field for the entire season.

Second Team All-District: Senior Malachi Myles joined his fellow seniors in the awards, being named Second Team All-District. After an impressive junior campaign in which he was named Honorable Mention, he also joined them in taking the next step forward.

As a junior, Myles brought energy and efficiency to the team, shooting 63% from the field and making heads up plays. As a senior, Myles efficiency remained the exact same, once again shooting 63% from the field, though his number of attempts went up. 

What Myles brings to a team is unmeasurable, as he constantly brings great energy on both sides of the floor. The senior would guard opposing teams best players, while also providing offense for his own team.

Myles also did so in the most efficient way possible, without needing the ball in his hands. During district play Myles averaged just shy of 10 points per game, doing so on just 6.3 attempts per game. His incredible 68.3% from the field, meant when he took a shot, it was most likely going in. 

Myles also pulled in over six rebounds per game and dished out 2.3 assists per game. He also led the team with 2.2 steals per game, contributing to the team in every way imaginable.

Honorable Mention: Senior Cole Theofiledes was the lone Wildcat to be named Honorable Mention this season. Coming into the season Theofiledes knew he had a very specific role on this team, and dedicated his season to playing it.

As the season went on, Theofiledes got more and more comfortable in his role, and continued to not only play it better, but gaining more and more confidence along the way. He proved this, by playing his best basketball when it mattered most, in the postseason.

After a scare in round one, Theofiledes had arguably his best outing to date in the second round, scoring eight points on 60% shooting in their Area win over Wilmer-Hutchins. He also provided multiples charges and was tied for the team-high with a +12 plus-minus. 

In his postgame press conference with Chad’s Media, Theofiledes spoke about his confidence and how the coaching staff encouraged him for how well he was playing his role. He followed it up, with an even better performance in the Regional Quarterfinals against Dallas Pinkston.

In what would be the final broadcast of the season from Chad’s Media, Theofiledes was named the Slaughter’s BBQ Player of the Game. He did so by scoring 11 points and leading the team with seven rebounds. The senior shot an efficient 3-5 from the field, going 2-2 from behind the 3-point line and a perfect 2-2 from the free throw line. 

With their historic 31-win season behind them, Sulphur Springs and their fans have plenty to proud of about this season. The district awards are just further validation for the season they had. 

“I love that our players were recognized for the work that they put in this year,” head coach Brandon Shaver said. “Kordrick was a beast in district and really all year.”

“Branson was extremely hard to defend on the offense end,” Shaver added. “I think Parker deserved more than First Team because he was one of the best players in our district.”

“Malachi also surprised me with just a Second Team selection. He was one of the best players in our district. Cole was one of the best defensive players we had in the district. I’m so proud of how he improved from the first of the season to the end.”

“Theo showed signs all year of what he can do. I’m excited to see him be one of the leaders on the team next year.”