VALDOSTA — As the state playoffs get started, many teams compete to keep their school in the running. Entering the ‘Cat Cage, the Valdosta Wildcats and Brookwood Broncos faced off for that next spot in the bracket.

The two teams gave their all on the court, resulting in a thrilling game worthy of the state playoffs. Fans from both sides stayed invested, cheering on from the stands. The Wildcats took the game 59-50 after a close final quarter, advancing to the playoffs.

The Wildcats dominated the first quarter of the game, scoring 17 points. Jabarri Williams opened the game with a 3-pointer, followed by Eric Love, driving into the paint for a layup. The Broncos’ Elijah Milliner scored most of the team’s first quarter points with two layups.

Three-pointers from the Wildcats’ Brandon Brown and Love pushed the home team lead further. Brookwood could not get more than six points to start the game, ending the first quarter 17-6. The Broncos, however, improved their game after that point.

Chase Holmes of Valdosta opened the quarter with a 3-pointer, but the Broncos improved their offense by moving the ball and creating openings. Brookwood chipped away Valdosta’s lead by scoring 11 points in four minutes through layups in the paint. A three-pointer from the Broncos’ Caden Jackson ended the half 29-24 with the Wildcats slightly ahead.

Valdosta came out of halftime looking to rectify the previous quarter. The two teams started playing aggressively. No 3-pointers were made in the third, making it a close and personal quarter, with a dunk from the Wildcats’ Israel Jenrette setting off the crowd.

Brookwood’s Marcus Parks stayed locked in with three rushes into the paint for four points. Williams relentlessly pressured the Broncos in the paint and scored six points, extending their lead to 45-34 by the end of the third quarter.

The Broncos did not let up, starting the fourth quarter with a t3-pointer from RJ Williams. Inside plays from the away team would bring the game to 45-42, with the Wildcats barely holding the lead.

Love attempted to give his team some breathing room with a good 3-pointer, but it would be quickly with another 3-pointer by Milliner.

Time would be Brookwood’s enemy, with little time to catch up to the Wildcats.

With the pressure mounting, the Broncos could not get the points needed; and another dunk from Jenrette spelled the end of the game. After some last-second points from the Wildcats, the game would end 59-50.

Preceding to the next stage in the bracket, Valdosta High School’s Wildcats will travel to Smyrna to face against Campbell High School’s Spartans.