CUBA — The Cuba High School basketball team played in its final tune up on Nov. 17 before the start of their regular season when they hosted Linn, Calvary Lutheran and Newburg in the Cuba Jamboree.

The Wildcats played two quarters against each team and tipped off the evening against Calvary Lutheran. 

Cuba found themselves in a back and forth matchup against Calvary Lutheran that came down to one point. The Wildcats started slow, but seemed to find their rhythm as the game went on. Cuba buckled down on defense and used timely three pointers from Cameron Carnal to squeak out a 24-23 victory. Carnal knocked down four three-pointers and finished with 14 points. Braden Gipson provided a steady eight points and Seth Adderly added two points. 

After a long hour and a half break in between games, Cuba showed no ill effects from the rest period against Linn. The Wildcats used a drive and kick attack to overwhelm Linn and earn a 32-22 victory. Carnal led the way with 10 points and received support from running mates Ethan Noltkamper and Caleb Brown, who each scored eight points. Freshman Layten Eikermann showed glimpses of his potential, adding four points off the bench. 

Cuba played Newburg in the final matchup of the evening and the Wildcats looked fatigued by the long evening of play. The Wildcats never found their rhythm and were plagued by turnovers, leading to a 35-9 loss. Cuba’s scoring came on three-pointers from Carnal, Eikermann and AJ Flores.  

The Wildcats will have time to regroup and reset for the regular season, which will begin when they travel to New Madrid and play Campbell on Nov. 28 and West Memphis (Arkansas) on Nov. 29 in the Riverbend Shootout Classic. Cuba will then compete in the FCNB Bank-It Championship from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5 in Sullivan. The Wildcats will have their home opener on Dec. 8 against Licking at 5:30 p.m. when Cuba’s JV team will play their first game. The Wildcats’ varsity team will play following the final buzzer in the JV game.