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BOYS HOOPS: Carthage suffers close loss in KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Carthage High School boys basketball team suffered a 67-62 setback to East Buchanan on Thursday at the Twelve Courts of Christmas tournament at Hy-Vee Arena.

The Tigers trailed by three with 1:25 remaining, but they were unable to get over the hump.

This one was close throughout. 

Carthage led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter, but the Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 18-11 in the second period for a 28-25 cushion.

The third quarter was even, 11-11, and East Buchanan led 39-36.

The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 28-26 in the high-scoring fourth quarter for the final margin.

Carthage’s standout senior guard Justin Ray scored 26 points and made four 3-pointers.

Trent Yates added 11 points for the Tigers, while Kruz Castor and Jack Ryder added eight points apiece. 

Clark Scott and Isaiah Watkins scored 22 points apiece for the Bulldogs, who improved to 6-1. Watkins made six treys.

Carthage (4-3) will compete at the Lendel Thomas Classic on Dec. 28-30 in Harrison, Arkansas. 

 

WRESTLING ROUNDUP: Seneca nips Carl Junction; Carthage tops Bentonville West

 

SENECA 33, CARL JUNCTION 31

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Seneca Indians pulled out a close dual victory over the Carl Junction Bulldogs on Wednesday night in boys wrestling action.

At 106 pounds, Seneca’s Jaxen Rhoads won by fall over Zane Gunnett.

Carl Junction’s Carter Foglesong won by fall over Jaxson French at 113 and CJ’s Drake Richardson earned a 7-5 decision over Paxton Bruegal at 120.

The Indians reeled off six straight wins.

At 126, Seneca’s Keatin Burleson defeated Camdon Kunkle 3-1, while Brant Laughlin earned a 7-2 decision over CJ’s Max Matthews at 132.

Seneca’s Eli Manley won by fall over Cole Beezley at 138, Trentyn Raney edged Brenden Berry 8-7 at 144, Blaine Frichey beat Kale Trosper 6-0 at 150 and Andrew Manley won by fall over Aaron Dillingham at 157.

Carl Junction’s Dexter Merrell pinned Landon Commons in the 165-pound bout, while CJ’s Marcus Lopez-Durman earned a major decision, 20-11, over Sawyer Cornell at 175.

Seneca’s Jace Renfro earned a 5-2 decision over Tony Stewart at 190.

Carl Junction’s Josh Cassatt won the 215-pound bout by DQ and CJ’s Blake Starks won by forfeit at 285.

In a girls dual, Seneca defeated Carl Junction 18-12.

Carl Junction’s Bryanna McCabe and Isabella Montez won their matches by fall. 

Seneca’s Harley Lankford (155), Morgan Barber (190) and Isabella Renfro (235) won their matches by forfeit.

 

CARTHAGE 54, BENTONVILLE WEST 24

CENTERTON, Ark. — The Carthage Tigers recorded eight wins by pinfall against Bentonville West.

Winning matches by fall for the Tigers were Tanner Putt (106), Caden Groom (113), Kelvin Alvarez (120), Wyatt Hole (126), Grady Huntley (132), Bradyn Tate (138), Lenny Escobar (165) and Latrell Abbasi (190).

Carthage’s Joshua Hill earned a 7-6 decision over Nicholas Soriano at 175 pounds and Jaxton Lopez defeated Ricardo Garcia 6-4 in the heavyweight bout. 

Bentonville West won by fall at 144, 150, 157 and 215.

Also, Bentonville West defeated Carthage 42-6 in a girls dual. 

Carthage’s lone win came at 115, as Maylee Brown won by fall over Rylie Sminchak.

Carthage’s wrestling program is hosting a holiday dual tournament on Dec. 28.

BOYS HOOPS: Carthage earns come-from-behind win at Twelve Courts of Christmas 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Carthage overcame an early deficit and knocked off Bishop LeBlond 53-44 on Wednesday at the Twelve Courts of Christmas tourney at Hy-Vee Arena. 

Bishop LeBlond held an 18-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The second period was nearly even, with Carthage outscoring Bishop LeBlond 12-11.

With that, Carthage trailed 29-21 at halftime.

The Tigers won the third quarter 13-2 for a 34-31 advantage.

Carthage outscored Bishop LeBlond 19-13 in the final frame.

Senior guard Justin Ray scored 22 points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to lead Carthage.

Kruz Castor also reached double figures with 10 points. 

Dylan Pugh and Trent Yates scored five points apiece and Jack Ryder had four.

The Tigers made 13 of 14 free throw attempts.

Carthage snapped a two-game skid and improved to 4-2.

Jacob Winkelbauer scored 11 points for Bishop LeBlond (6-3). The Golden Eagles entered the game ranked sixth in Class 3 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. 

The Tigers will meet East Buchanan (5-1) at 12:45 on Thursday at the event.