NEOSHO 48, MONETT 31
MONETT, Mo. — Neosho’s boys basketball team used a strong fourth quarter to earn a 48-31 victory over Monett on Tuesday night.
Clinging to a four-point lead at the end of the third quarter, Neosho outscored Monett 17-4 in the final frame to earn the non-conference win.
“Great team defense by our guys,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “Monett had 11 points in the first four minutes then only scored 20 the rest of the game. It was ugly, but a good win for us.”
Monett led 11-6 at the end of the first period, but Neosho won the second quarter 19-7 to take a 25-18 halftime advantage.
Neosho’s lead was down to 31-27 entering the fourth quarter.
Isaiah Green scored 13 points to lead Neosho, while Michael Day added nine and Kael Smith had eight.
“Michael Day had another great shooting night, hitting three huge 3-pointers,” Culp said. “Isaiah Green did an awesome job guarding their point guard and creating lots of offense for us.”
Carter Baslee contributed six points and Carter Fenske chipped in five. Collier Hendricks scored four points and Brock Franklin added three for the Wildcats, who improved to 4-1 on the season.
Blaine Salsman and Jason Garner scored nine points apiece for the Cubs (3-2).
Neosho hosts Seneca on Friday night.
SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL 63, CARTHAGE 55
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Carthage fell to 3-2 on the season after a non-conference setback to district opponent Springfield Central.
Central led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter and 30-22 at halftime.
The Tigers trailed 47-36 at the end of the third quarter. Carthage outscored Central 19-16 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
Four Tigers scored in double figures. Justin Ray led Carthage with 15 points, while Max Templeman had 12, Clay Kinder added 11 and Britt Coy contributed 10.
Bryce Walker scored 20 and Sterling Vinson added 18 for the Bulldogs.
Carthage takes on Parkview at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the 4-States Challenge at Webb City.
MCAULEY 46, EXETER 32
McAuley built a nine-point lead after the first quarter and expanded it out until the final horn in a win over Exeter on Tuesday.
“It was a good bounce back win for our guys,” McAuley coach Tony Witt said to SoMo Sports. “Now we have to focus on the next one.”
McAuley outscored Exeter 16-8 in the second period to lead 29-12 going into the intermission and held off the Tigers in the second half.
The Warriors improved to 3-5 on the season with the win.
Rocco Bazzano-Joseph and Bradley Wagner tied for the team lead in points with 12 each. Noah Black finished with nine points while Kable Reichardt added five and Michael Parrigon four.
McAuley is at Northeast Vernon County on Friday.
