By: Eddy Gifford, Publisher

The Dade County Wolverine basketball team opened the 2009-10 season in style last week when they defeated North Sand Mountain 103-59.

Breaking the century mark in the first game of the season is a real boost to the team and fans as they anticipate a big season for the Wolverines.

The Wolverines got off to a slow start after Travis Core gave them a 2-0 lead with just under a minute gone in the first quarter. Swapping baskets for the biggest part of the first quarter the Wolverines and Bison were tied 15-15 with just over a minute remaining.

The Wolverines then took the first quarter lead 20-18 as Core scored 14 of the Wolverines 20 points.

The Wolverines opened up an 11 point lead by the end of the first half, holding the Bison to just two points in the first three minutes of the quarter and just 10 total points for the quarter.

The Wolverines really turned up the tempo in the second half as Core continued to lead the team, scoring 17 third quarter points including the final 12.

By the end of the third quarter the Wolverines were on top 69-46 and Coach Glen Hicks was able to get everyone in the game.

In the fourth quarter Andrew Houts scored the first eight points and then Jake Bell hit four straight three-point shots. Cole Gossett also added back–to–back three’s midway through the quarter.

Houston Moon closed out the scoring when he hit a three point shot with just 10 seconds remaining in the game.

The Wolverines were led by Travis Core who finished the night with 39 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and five steals.

Jake Bell finished with 17 points and Andrew Houts rang up 16 while Ben Patton added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Reid grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Wolverines finished the night hitting 11 three point shots. Bell had 5, Gossett 2, and Cole Birchfield, Houston Moon, Houts and Core with one each.

Colby Dixon with 16 points and Nick Baker with 15 led North Sand Mountain.

This week the Wolverines will be hosting the Dade Tip-Off Tournament.

The Wolverines will be in action each night at 6:30 beginning on Wednesday when they face Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe.

On Friday afternoon they will face Hixson and on Saturday afternoon they will face Glenncoe, Ala.

Regular season action next week will have the Wolverines traveling to Pepperell on Tuesday and then host Model on Friday.

DC     20    19    30   34       106

NSM   18         10    18     13         59

NSM (59) – Nick Baker 15, Colby Dixon 16, Britt 8, Marion 9, Kensey 2, Walsh 4, C. Baker 7, D. Hicks 3, J. Hicks 2, Early, Hill.

DC (103) – Birchfield 3, Moon 3, Gossett 7, Jake Bell 17, Andrew Houts 16, Travis Core 39, Patton 19, Reid 8, Freeman, Kesler, Mai, Green, Shrader, Williams, Chitwood.