CASSVILLE - In a matchup pitting the top two teams in the Six Rivers East and Six Rivers West conferences, it was the Cassville Comets who gave the West bragging rights by picking up a 64-48 victory over Albany.
Host Cassville was able to race out to a strong start early in the game and by halftime held a 32-23 advantage.
The two teams battled back and forth in the third, but it was Cassville who carried the momentum into the final quarter and was able to widen the gap and seal the victory.
Four players were able to score in double figures for Cassville, while on the defensive side they were able to limit Albany's Isaiah Shell and Mitchell Kauk to only 18 combined points.
Albany (10-5, 4-1) travels next Tuesday, Feb. 4 to take on Argyle.
Belmont 46, Argyle 43
BELMONT - After trailing for most of the game, Belmont was able to exploit some of Argyle's defensive areas to spark a comeback in the fourth quarter to pull away with a 46-43 victory.
"We were playing some young guys tonight and in a few instances, we found ourselves in some awkward positions," said Orioles coach Scott Noll. "And they (Belmont) were able to capitalize on those opportunities."
Riley Ostby led the Orioles with 17 points, while fellow teammate Kyle Olson added 10 points.
Highland 47,
Juda 42
HIGHLAND - Late game comebacks seemed to be the predominant theme in the Six Rivers conference crossover games on Friday night. This was the case for the Juda boys basketball team, as they led for the first three quarters in a game against Highland, but in the end, the host Cardinals were able to mount a comeback and win 47-42.
For Panthers coach James Pickett, the first three quarters were consistent in his team's effort and solid play.
"I thought we played pretty well in the first three quarters," said Pickett. "We were able to execute our offense and play solid team defense."
But at the start of the fourth, things started to fall apart for the Panthers.
"Once we got in fourth quarter, our defense started to fade, and they (Highland) were able to penetrate more than they had previously, and were able to put the ball in the basket."
Cory Segner scored a game-high 22 points for Juda.
Pecatonica 42, Benton 41
BENTON - The Pecatonica boys basketball team was able to hold off a comeback by the Zephyrs in a Friday night matchup, winning 42-41.
The Vikings started the game strong, as they raced out to a 13-4 lead after the first quarter. But Benton slowly started to turn the table, and late in the fourth quarter, Pecatonica's lead was slimmed to only a one-possession difference.
Fortunately for the Pecatonica, a last second shot by the Zephyrs rimmed out, and the Vikings were able to hold on for the win.
Freshman A.J. Hendrickson hit from long range on multiple occasions for Pecatonica, en route to scoring a game-high 19 points. Teammates Drew Schliem and Logan Green contributed nine and eight points, respectively.
Shullsburg 48, Monticello 27
SHULLSBURG - After entering halftime with a one-point lead in their game against Shullsburg, Monticello struggled in the second half as the host Miners outscored the Ponies 31-9 en route to a 48-27 victory.
The Ponies committed 15 fouls against Shullsburg's five, as most of the damage came by way of Miners duo John Meyer and Brett Matye, who scored 16 and 15 points respectively.
Senior Lucas Marty led the Ponies with 18 points.
Monticello (8-5, 4-2) hosts Dodgeville next Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Evansville 64, Brodhead 43
EVANSVILLE - The Evansville Blue Devils were able to get the best of the Brodhead, as they picked up a convincing 64-43 victory.
A solid offensive attack by Evansville proved to be too much to handle for the Cardinals, as three players scored in double figures for the Blue Devils, while a number of other players also scored as well.
Ned Slocum continued his solid play for the Cardinals, scoring a game-high 18 points in the loss. Brodhead (2-13, 1-9) will host Palmyra-Eagle on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Host Cassville was able to race out to a strong start early in the game and by halftime held a 32-23 advantage.
The two teams battled back and forth in the third, but it was Cassville who carried the momentum into the final quarter and was able to widen the gap and seal the victory.
Four players were able to score in double figures for Cassville, while on the defensive side they were able to limit Albany's Isaiah Shell and Mitchell Kauk to only 18 combined points.
Albany (10-5, 4-1) travels next Tuesday, Feb. 4 to take on Argyle.
Belmont 46, Argyle 43
BELMONT - After trailing for most of the game, Belmont was able to exploit some of Argyle's defensive areas to spark a comeback in the fourth quarter to pull away with a 46-43 victory.
"We were playing some young guys tonight and in a few instances, we found ourselves in some awkward positions," said Orioles coach Scott Noll. "And they (Belmont) were able to capitalize on those opportunities."
Riley Ostby led the Orioles with 17 points, while fellow teammate Kyle Olson added 10 points.
Highland 47,
Juda 42
HIGHLAND - Late game comebacks seemed to be the predominant theme in the Six Rivers conference crossover games on Friday night. This was the case for the Juda boys basketball team, as they led for the first three quarters in a game against Highland, but in the end, the host Cardinals were able to mount a comeback and win 47-42.
For Panthers coach James Pickett, the first three quarters were consistent in his team's effort and solid play.
"I thought we played pretty well in the first three quarters," said Pickett. "We were able to execute our offense and play solid team defense."
But at the start of the fourth, things started to fall apart for the Panthers.
"Once we got in fourth quarter, our defense started to fade, and they (Highland) were able to penetrate more than they had previously, and were able to put the ball in the basket."
Cory Segner scored a game-high 22 points for Juda.
Pecatonica 42, Benton 41
BENTON - The Pecatonica boys basketball team was able to hold off a comeback by the Zephyrs in a Friday night matchup, winning 42-41.
The Vikings started the game strong, as they raced out to a 13-4 lead after the first quarter. But Benton slowly started to turn the table, and late in the fourth quarter, Pecatonica's lead was slimmed to only a one-possession difference.
Fortunately for the Pecatonica, a last second shot by the Zephyrs rimmed out, and the Vikings were able to hold on for the win.
Freshman A.J. Hendrickson hit from long range on multiple occasions for Pecatonica, en route to scoring a game-high 19 points. Teammates Drew Schliem and Logan Green contributed nine and eight points, respectively.
Shullsburg 48, Monticello 27
SHULLSBURG - After entering halftime with a one-point lead in their game against Shullsburg, Monticello struggled in the second half as the host Miners outscored the Ponies 31-9 en route to a 48-27 victory.
The Ponies committed 15 fouls against Shullsburg's five, as most of the damage came by way of Miners duo John Meyer and Brett Matye, who scored 16 and 15 points respectively.
Senior Lucas Marty led the Ponies with 18 points.
Monticello (8-5, 4-2) hosts Dodgeville next Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Evansville 64, Brodhead 43
EVANSVILLE - The Evansville Blue Devils were able to get the best of the Brodhead, as they picked up a convincing 64-43 victory.
A solid offensive attack by Evansville proved to be too much to handle for the Cardinals, as three players scored in double figures for the Blue Devils, while a number of other players also scored as well.
Ned Slocum continued his solid play for the Cardinals, scoring a game-high 18 points in the loss. Brodhead (2-13, 1-9) will host Palmyra-Eagle on Thursday, Feb. 6.
