BELTON, Mo. — Second-seeded Webb City took control early on the way to a 56-37 victory over seventh-seeded Carl Junction on Wednesday in a quarterfinal contest of the Class 5 District 7 tournament at Belton High School.
Webb City (17-10) will meet third-seeded Ruskin (18-8) at 7 on Friday night in the semifinals.
The Cardinals led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, with senior forward Alex Martin scoring eight in the opening frame.
In the second quarter, Webb City pulled away for a 26-12 lead after hoops from Eli Pace, Barron Duda and Martin.
At the half, the Cardinals held a 30-14 advantage. Webb City made 13 field goals in the first half to Carl Junction’s six.
The Cardinals extended their lead past 20 at 37-16 early in the third period after a trey from senior guard Joe Adams.
By the end of the third quarter, Webb City held a comfortable 43-26 advantage.
The Bulldogs pulled within 14 at 49-35 with just under three minutes to play after a 3-pointer from freshman guard Cooper Vediz, but the Cardinals never relinquished their lead in the fourth quarter.
Martin paced Webb City with 22 points and nine rebounds. The 6-5 Martin, a Fort Scott Community College recruit, made 11-of-14 field goal attempts.
Sophomore guard Holton Keith compiled eight rebounds, eight assists and six points, while junior guard Barron Duda added 10 points and seven boards.
Webb City shot 46 percent from the floor, making 25-of-54 field goal attempts.
The Bulldogs shot 28 percent (15-of-54).
Ayden Bard scored 14 points and grabbed nine boards to lead Carl Junction, while Lucas Vanlanduit and Vediz added 10 points apiece.
Carl Junction ends the season with a record of 8-19.
The team’s seniors are Bard, Vanlanduit, Ky Warren, Xavier Perkins, Braxton Dodds, Luke Jones and Nathan Planchon.
Class 5 District 7
Wednesday’s scores
(1) Grandview 69, (8) Warrensburg 62
(4) Belton 79, (5) Hogan Prep 68
(2) Webb City 56, (7) Carl Junction 37
(3) Ruskin 48, (6) Raytown South 36
FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)
