NEOSHO BOYS 52, OZARK 47
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho built an early cushion and held off Ozark for the Wildcats’ first win over the Tigers since 2010.
The win is the fourth Central Ozark Conference win for the Wildcats, who moved to 17-5, 4-1 after the victory on Friday, which ties the school record for conference wins by Neosho.
Neosho limited Ozark (9-13, 2-3 COC) to 13 points in the first half and led by nine at the intermission. The Wildcats outscored the Tigers 22-4 in the third quarter to take a commanding 16-point lead. Ozark put on a rally in the fourth quarter, but Neosho staved off the comeback for the win.
Isaiah Green led Neosho with 16 points, while Kael Smith finished with 13 points. Carter Baslee scored 10 to give the Wildcats three players in double figures. Carter Fenske added eight and Brock Franklin scored five.
Neosho is at Carl Junction on Tuesday.
NIXA BOYS 66, CARTHAGE 64
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage trailed by one possession for much of the final 10 minutes of game action but never found that final momentum surge to get the lead down the stretch in a loss to Class 6 second-ranked Nixa (22-0, 5-0 COC) on Friday in Central Ozark Conference action.
The Tigers (12-10, 2-4 COC) trailed by eight with less than six minutes to play in the third quarter before rallying back to cut the deficit to one, 44-43, by the start of the fourth quarter. Each time it looked as if Carthage would grab the momentum, the Eagles had an answer until the final horn.
Max Templeman led all scorers with a game-high 23 points to lead Carthage in scoring. Justin Ray knocked down two 3-pointers on the way to 16, while Clay Kinder had 10 points and two 3-pointers.
Kael Combs finished with 21 points and three 3-pointers to lead Nixa in scoring.
Carthage hosts Branson on Tuesday for Senior Night.
MCDONALD COUNTY BOYS 60, NEVADA 57
NEVADA, Mo. — The McDonald County Mustangs clinched an outright Big 8 West championship by beating the Nevada Tigers on Friday inside Wynn Gymnasium.
McDonald County improved to 13-10 and the Mustangs went 6-0 in the Big 8 West.
Sterling Woods scored 24 points to lead the Mustangs and Destyn Dowd added 10 and Cross Dowd had nine.
Nevada is now 11-13 and they went 4-2 in the Big 8 West.
Drew Beachler scored 17 points to lead Nevada, while Brice Budd had 16 points and Jack Cheaney added 14.
Nevada led 41-40 entering the fourth quarter. The Mustangs outscored the Tigers 20-16 in the final frame.
McDonald County will take on Rogersville in the overall Big 8 Conference championship on Tuesday.
Nevada is at Reeds Spring on Tuesday.
SENECA BOYS 40, WYANDOTTE (OKLA.) 49
SENECA, Mo. — Four players scored in double figures for the Indians.
Cooper Long led Seneca with 18 points, while Morgan Vaughn had 16, Blake Hurn added 12 and Ethan Altic scored 11.
NEVADA GIRLS 47, MCDONALD COUNTY 35
NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada’s girls finished off an undefeated run through the Big 8 West.
The Tigers improved to 19-4 overall and they went 6-0 in the Big 8 West.
The Mustangs fell to 10-13 and they went 4-2 in Big 8 West play.
Nevada will host Marshfield on Monday for the overall Big 8 championship.
On Friday, the Tigers had to come from behind, as the Mustangs led 10-4 at the end of the first quarter.
Nevada outscored Mac County 20-12 in the second period for a 24-22 halftime advantage.
The Tigers built a 40-29 cushion entering the fourth quarter and the hosts never relinquished their lead.
Senior guard Maddy Majors led the Tigers with 17 points and junior guard Clara Swearingen added 11 points.
Roslynn Huston scored 14 points to lead the Mustangs, while Carlie Martin added 13.
SENECA GIRLS 64, WYANDOTTE (OKLA.) 33
SENECA, Mo. — Hazley Grotjohn poured in 33 points for Seneca.
Parker Long also reached double figures with 14 points for the Indians.
