MCAULEY CATHOLIC BOYS 50, LIBERAL 34
LIBERAL, Mo. — The McAuley Catholic boys basketball team opened the 2023-24 season on a positive note by beating Liberal 50-34 on Tuesday night.
“Solid win to open up the year,” McAuley coach Tony Witt said. “Liberal is always a tough place to play. I’m proud of our guys for stepping up and accepting the challenge.”
The Warriors led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter and took a 23-19 lead into halftime.
McAuley pulled away in the third quarter, taking a 40-29 advantage. The Warriors outscored the Bulldogs 10-5 in the final frame.
Michael Parrigon scored 12 points to lead the Warriors, while Connor Taffner added 10. Rocco Bazzano-Joseph contributed eight points for McAuley, while Alex Bohachick chipped in seven and Bradley Wagner had six.
Kole Wiles scored nine points for Liberal and Quincy Bazal added seven.
The Warriors (1-0) will take on Sarcoxie on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Gem City Classic at Diamond High School.
BRONAUGH BOYS 86, THOMAS JEFFERSON 44
Visiting Bronaugh took the lead early and never relinquished it against the host Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats led 20-7 at the end of the first quarter and Bronaugh took a 47-18 lead into halftime.
The visitors won the third period 33-18.
Jack Twiss, Ethan Renger and Kohl Thurman scored 10 points apiece for Thomas Jefferson, while Spencer Long added seven points. Twiss hit two 3-pointers.
Bronaugh’s Tucker Duncan poured in 38 points and teammate Strauss Banes added 25. Luke Bowling also reached double figures with 12 points for the Wildcats (1-0).
Thomas Jefferson (1-1) will compete at the Gem City Classic beginning on Nov. 27.
RUSH GIRLS 44, COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN 29
The College Heights Christian girls basketball team dropped its season opener on Tuesday.
“RUSH possessed two highly skilled guards, but our own guards did an outstanding job of defending them, limiting their combined points to just nine in the first half,” College Heights coach John Blankenship told SoMo Sports. “This allowed us to keep the game close.”
The visitors led 17-14 at halftime. However, RUSH’s strong defense proved to be challenging in the second half, as they outscored CHC 27-15 for the final margin.
“Their size advantage on the perimeter presented some matchup difficulties for us, particularly in rebounding,” Blankenship said. “Although this was our first game, facing such a tough opponent at the start of the season highlighted areas where we need improvement. As a young team, we will continue to grow and develop with time and experience. Our kids are young, but determined to get better, and they will. I saw a lot of things to be encouraged by in our first game, and we will use that to build upon.”
Libby Fanning led College Heights with eight points and 16 rebounds. Also for the Cougars, Maddy Colin contributed six points and three boards, while Ava Lett scored five points and Jesalin Bever handed out six assists.
The Cougars (0-1) will meet Lockwood at 8:30 p.m. on Monday at the Gem City Classic in Diamond.
NEVADA GIRLS 47, LEBANON 31
NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada’s girls basketball team overcame an early deficit and used a strong second half to knock off the Lebanon Yellowjackets in the season opener on Tuesday.
Lebanon led 12-5 at the end of the first quarter, but Nevada outscored the visitors 42-19 the rest of the way.
Nevada senior guard Clara Swearingen scored a game-high 22 points. A Pittsburg State recruit, Swearingen made a pair of 3-pointers.
Also for the Tigers, Lakyn Applegate scored seven points and Peyton Eaton and Kara Phillips added six apiece.
Bodie Cox scored 13 points to lead Lebanon.
Nevada will be among the teams competing at next week’s Carl Junction Classic.
THOMAS JEFFERSON GIRLS 50, BRONAUGH 25
Thomas Jefferson improved to 2-0 with a convincing win over the Bronaugh Wildcats on Tuesday night.
Gabbi Hiebert scored 17 points to lead the Cavaliers, while Lannah Grigg added 13 and Sarah Mueller had eight.
Thomas Jefferson hosts Liberal on Nov. 28.
MOUNT VERNON GIRLS 44, JOPLIN 35
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Joplin’s girls basketball team suffered a 44-35 loss to Mount Vernon on Tuesday night.
Alissa Owens scored 17 points for Joplin, while Addie Hall had 19 for the Mountaineers.
Joplin (0-1) is at Pittsburg, Kansas, on Dec. 1.
Mount Vernon (1-0) will compete at next week’s Fair Grove Invitational.
OTHER SCORES
RUSH boys 69, College Heights 46
East Newton boys 40, Clever 35
