The Ferndale Wildcats continued to battle despite dropping their second straight conference game in boys basketball on Thursday night.

The Ferndale boys fell 65-35 to two-time defending Little 4 champions South Fork, but the game didn’t really get away from them until late.

The Cubs shot 35 free throws to the Cats’ 18 and Ferndale had two starters foul out as the game slipped away.

“We can’t win against a team that good when they shoot 35 and we shoot 18 free throws,” said Ferndale head coach Tristen Waters, whose team saw a 15-point deficit extend to 30 after starters Prescott Langer and Braeden Rice fouled out.

The Cats have been behind the eight ball since early in the season, with many of the players starting basketball late after the school’s historic state championship run in football, which didn’t end until mid December.

“It’s tough sledding this year with our lack of practice,” Waters said. “We will keep learning from every game and grow in the back half of this season.

“I’m pleased with how much we made them fight despite the score. That doesn’t reflect how the game went.”

Langer and Trent Titus each finished with seven points in the loss, while Thomas Fergison and Isaak Kasso both added six points.

Tanner Pidgeon also impressed his coach and “really showed me what it means to take pride in being a basketball player at Ferndale High,” Waters said.

Waters also praised the play of the Cubs, who have been consistent Little 4 contenders for the past few seasons under head coach Taylor Morrow.

“They are a legit team with a great coach and program,” the Ferndale coach said. “I have a lot of respect for coach Morrow. They played the brand of basketball we are aiming for. I can’t take it away from them They can hoop.”

Despite their struggles this season, the Wildcats remain well in the chase for a place in this year’s Dick Niclai tournament.

“We just gotta stay the course and play high level basketball,” Waters added. “We know we can play really well together, but we are looking for consistent and discipline as a unit.”

 The Cats will try to bounce back when they play at St. Bernard’s next Thursday.