SKIDMORE — The swarming Skidmore-Tynan Bobcat varsity basketball team put their stamp on the game with Mathis on Friday night right from the opening tip.

The ’Cats used a pressure defense to stymie the Pirates into turnover after turnover as the S-T boys raced to a 21-8 lead over the first period.

“They came out and stalled, so we had to do some different things. The win clinched a playoff spot for us,” said head coach Adam Wollam.

The Bobcats have three more games on their schedule, but three losses would not knock them off from reaching the playoffs.

Defense was still a main key in the second period, but the Bobcat offense slowed things down a little. The home team hit for nine second quarter points, but the Pirates had trouble finding the rim and added just four markers. It was all S-T at the half, 30-12.

Mathis gained a little respect in the second half, outscoring the Bobcats by one, 22-21, but the damage had already been done. The big ’Cats emerged with a relatively easy 51-34 victory to remain undefeated in district play at 11-0. The Bobcats hold an outstanding 25-3 mark on the season.

Eric Schumacher led the S-T scoring attack with 17 points. Zeke Huerta added 14 and Brandon East followed with six tallies. John Hernandez and Ryan Scott hit for five apiece. Erasmo Huerta contributed four.

The S-T junior varsity squad also got a win at home on Friday night as the young Bobcats posted a 52-44 decision over the young Pirates.

The S-T boys played in George West on Tuesday night and will travel to Banquete on Friday night. The Bobcats finish their regular season run on Feb. 12 when they host the Taft Greyhounds.