JOPLIN 86, GATEWAY CITY ELITE 69
LEBANON, Mo. — Always Wright poured in a career-high 40 points to lead Joplin past Gateway City Elite in the opening round of the Lebanon Hall of Fame Classic on Thursday.
Wright knocked down four 3-pointers in the first quarter to pace Joplin out to a 23-16 lead. The Eagles (9-4) took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter and outscored the Lions 21-13 over the final eight minutes to close out the win.
Wright scored 16 points in the third and 24 of his 40 in the second half, knocking down seven 3-pointers on the night. All Wright finished with 21 points in the win for Joplin, scoring 11 points in the second quarter. Carson Wampler added nine, while Terrance Gibson finished with eight.
Joplin takes on Lebanon in the next round at 7:30 on Friday night.
THOMAS JEFFERSON 61, SARCOXIE 41
LIBERAL, Mo. — Top-seeded Thomas Jefferson clinched a spot in the Tony Dubray Classic championship game after using a staunch defensive effort in the first half to build an insurmountable lead by the intermission on the way to the win over Sarcoxie in the semifinals on Thursday.
The Cavaliers (12-1), who have won 10 straight games, led 17-8 after the first quarter after knocking down five 3-pointers as a team in the opening eight minutes while limiting the Bears to just three field goals. Drew Goodhope had one make from the perimeter, while Dhruv Gheewala and Caden Myers each knocked down two 3-balls in the first quarter.
Thomas Jefferson, which led 29-15 at the half, outscored Sarcoxie each of the final three quarters on the way to the win.
Myers led Thomas Jefferson with 23 points, making four 3-pointers in the win. Gheewala finished with 16 and three treys. Goodhope added 11 points with three 3-pointers.
Jason Molette led Sarcoxie with 12 points, while Terio Asterio finished with 11.
Thomas Jefferson takes on Galena at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday at Liberal High School.
EMPORIA 61, CARTHAGE 39
CHANUTE, Kan. — Carthage got down early and never recovered in a 61-39 loss to Emporia in an opening-round game of the Ralph Miller Classic at Chanute High School.
Emporia led 18-9 at the end of the first quarter and 37-15 at the half.
The Tigers outscored the Spartans 13-10 in the third quarter, but still trailed by 19 entering the fourth period.
Joel Pugh scored 15 points and made four 3-pointers to lead Carthage. Max Templeman added nine points, while Clay Kinder had five.
Carthage plays Coffeyville at 3 on Friday.
ERIE 40, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 27
CHEROKEE, Kan. — Erie defeated College Heights in the semifinals of the Lancer Classic.
The Cougars, now 8-7, will play for third place on Saturday.
Undefeated Erie (9-0) led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter, but the Cougars led 16-15 at intermission.
The Red Devils outscored the Cougars 17-6 in the third period and 8-5 in the fourth quarter to stay unbeaten.
Miller Long scord 14 points to lead the Cougars, while Curtis Davenport added six.
The College Heights girls (12-1) will play Erie in the event’s championship game at 7:40 on Friday night.
The Cougars beat McAuley Catholic 46-37 on Wednesday in the semifinals.
PARSONS 71, MCAULEY CATHOLIC 40
CHEROKEE, Kan. — In a game at the Southeast Lancer Classic, Parsons led 23-5 at the end of the first quarter and the Vikings were up 40-15 at the half.
Thomas Black led the Warriors (4-8) with 10 points, while Joe Staton and Daniel Wagner contributed six points apiece and Joe Lupicki had five.
Joe Paige scored 12 points for Parsons.
McAuley plays Southeast at the Lancer Classic at 2:40 on Saturday.
