- December 4, 2025
Nick Antoine hangs his head as a result of the game's score. Photos by Michele Meyers
Nick Antoine (20) and Brenen Lorient (5) aim to get control of the ball.
Kyle Bowman (10) passes the ball.
Ty'Rion Denison (32) is open for the throw-in.
Jalen Willis (2) is down for the count as Jeremiah Russell (1) and X'zavion McCoy are shocked by the call.
Kyle Bowman (10) climbs toward the basket as Jeremiah Russell (1) uses all of his 6' 5" body to block him.
Kyle Bowman (10) is knocked down by Wildcats: Brenen Lorient (5), Brandon Baxley (15) and Jeremiah Russell (1).
Nick Antoine (20) up for 2 against Elijah Russell's (3) block.
Nick Antoine (20) refuses to give up the ball without a fight.
Last Buc up for the rebound is Nick Antoine as teammates question the fouls.
Coaches' overtime prep.
Yamare Bell (14) looks for options.
Nigle Cook with the free throw.
Ruben Walker (5) rallies the team.
Jalen Willis (2) attempts a shot in Wildcat defense.
Mainland's Head Coach Giddens questions a decision as players wait for the response.
X'zavion McCoy (0) and Yamare Bell (14) battle for the pass.
Nigle Cook (4) for the jumper over Calvin Davison's (13) block as X'zavion McCoy (0) waits for the outcome.
Buccaneer timeout inspiration.
The Mainland Buccaneers’ boys’ basketball team suffered a crushing blow delivered by the Forest Wildcats with a 68-62 loss on Friday, Feb. 12, following a double overtime in the District 6A-4 championship.
The Buccaneers held the Wildcats to a 2 point lead then quickly rallied in the second quarter with 21 points, shifting the score to 33-24 in Mainland’s favor. Wildcats quickly overwhelmed the Buccaneers with a surge of 13 points, leaving Mainland with a tentative 1 point advantage heading into the final quarter. By the end of the quarter, teams were tied at 47 each which drove them into their first overtime. Both teams remained tied as they wrapped up the first overtime period.
Game intensity increased as the Buccaneers and the Wildcats sought to outdo one another on court during the bonus round. Parents implored the referees to call fouls appropriately to protect the players from injury. Free throws were abundant with Mainland’s Jalen Willis making six-out-of-seven free throw attempts.
Heading into the second overtime with a score of 53-53, the jump ball was tipped to Buccaneer Nigle Cook. Mainland was unable to convert and the Wildcats drove down court, passed the ball to Josh Cuspard who swished a 3-pointer bringing the score to 56-53. Buccaneers’ score leaders, Nigel Cook and Jalen Willis, each with 15 points, contributed to the team’s final 9 but could not overcome the Wildcats' 15 final overtime points and three of their players scoring in double digits.
Mainland Buccaneers play Fletcher in the Class 6A state tournament Thursday, Feb. 18.
