Varnado, after trailing through most of the opening two periods, seized a 24-21 lead at the half and led throughout the remainder of the District 7-1A prep hoops contest against Archbishop Hannan. The Wildcats won 59-44 at the packed Wildcats’ gym.

“In the past we would take Hannan for granted, thinking that this would be an easy win, but my kids found out that we were in a game, and they played hard on defense and crashed the boards, allowing us to get the win,” said Varnado coach Paul Meyerchick.

Leading the way for Varnado, which improved to 9-7 overall and 2-1 in league play, was senior guard Ladarrius Jefferson with 29 points, Jefferson scored 13 of his total in the third frame when the Wildcats expanded its lead. Jefferson started off the matchup with a steal and layup slam that got the crowd into the contest.

Junior center Keith Allen tallied 14 points to go along with his seven caroms, and teammate and fellow junior Dominique Harry garnered 11 points and 11 boards.

Senior forward Michael Hess led Hannan, which evened its overall mark at 10-10 and dropped to 1-2 in district, with 19 points. Sophomore forward Daniel Hollander added 10 points, eight of which came in the opening period. Hollander also controlled the glass for the Hawks grabbing 11 rebounds.

The Hawks led 14-10 at the end of the opening stanza as senior guard Mason Bennett contributed six of his 11 points to the Hawks’ total.

Jefferson rallied the Wildcats from behind in the second period with a pair of treys as Varnado took a three-point lead at the intermission, 24-21. In the third quarter Varnado outscored Hannan 26-16, widening its’ lead to 50-37.

In the final period the two teams battled with Varnado edging Hannan by a bucket, 9-7, before pulling the ball out and playing keep away the last three minutes of the game.

Hannan first-year coach Michael Senna said his Hawks had a tough time inside.

“They dominated the lane, and we just weren’t able to adjust to their style of aggressive defense,” Senna said.

Senna was alluding to the Wildcats’ edge on the boards, 36-24, as well as committing fewer turnovers.