FRONTENAC, Kan. — A strong finish to the first half propelled the second-seeded Webb City boys basketball team to a 70-29 victory over seventh-seeded Nevada on Thursday in the first round of the Four State Raider Classic at Frontenac High School.
In a rematch of last year’s tourney championship, the Cardinals were clinging to a six-point cushion in the second quarter when they finished the first half on a game-changing 17-1 run.
During the surge, Cohl Vaden, Isaiah Brisco and Trey Roets made free throws, while Dante Washington hit a 3-pointer, Roets had a putback and Max Higginbotham knocked down two treys to give the Cardinals a 35-13 lead at intermission.
The Tigers, who had two key players pick up three fouls in the first half, were limited to three points in the second quarter.
The Cardinals scored the first 10 points of the third period to extend the lead past 30, as a dunk from Turner capped the spurt and made it 45-13.
Webb City’s advantage was 57-21 at the end of the third quarter and there was a running clock in the final frame.
Webb City hiked its record to 10-4, while Nevada fell to 3-13.
Twelve different players scored in the game for the Cardinals. Vaden, Turner and Holton Keith scored 10 points apiece to lead Webb City, while Higginbotham added nine points on a trio of 3-pointers. Washington and Roets contributed seven points apiece. Roets grabbed seven rebounds, while Vaden handed out five assists.
Brice Budd scored 12 points to lead Nevada, while Evan Rea added six. Leo Gayman had seven rebounds.
The Cardinals will take on either Providence Academy from Rogers, Arkansas, or Oklahoma City’s Christian Heritage Academy in the semifinals at 8:30 on Friday night.
Nevada will play at 7 p.m. on Friday in the old gym in the consolation semifinals.
FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)
