Central Downs Gladiators; Draft boys, girls win

GREENVILLE – Central Woodstock opened up a 13-point lead late in the first half and the Falcons held off the Riverheads Gladiators in the second half to take a 50-42 non-district victory Monday in girls hoops action.

After freshman point guard Abi Bennington put Riverheads on the board with a short jumper to start the game, Central scored eight consecutive points and never trailed the rest of the way.

The Falcons used an 8-0 spurt late in the second quarter, fueled by 3-pointers from Vanessa Gordon and Kynli Hoover, to take their biggest lead of the game, 27-14, Bennington hit a 3-pointer and Sarah Piner scored inside to pull the home team to within 27-19 at the break.

Riverheads rallied in the third quarter behind the inside presence of Alexis Myrtle to pull even on the scoreboard. Myrtle scored 10 points in the quarter and her stickback pulled Riverheads to within two points, 34-32. Piner and Grace Golloday each went 1-for-2 at the foul line to pull the Gladiators even at 34-34. The Falcons closed the third quarter with four straight points to lead 38-34 with eight minutes left to play.

Gordon turned a pair of Riverheads turnovers into uncontested layups to push the Falcons’ lead to 42-34 early in the fourth quarter.

After Piner scored inside, Alexis Wetzel made 1-of-2 foul shots for a seven-point Central lead.

Myrtle powered inside for a bucket and Bennington hit a runner from 12-feet to close the gap to 43-40, but the Gladiators would get no closer as the Falcons held on for the 50-42 win.

Myrtle led Riverheads with 17 points and Bennington scored 15. Gordon poured in 22 points for Central.

JV Score: Riverheads 42, Central 26

Stuarts Draft 74, Stonewall Jackson 24 (Boys)

STUARTS DRAFT – Stuarts Draft opened its boys basketball season by cruising to a 74-24 non-district victory over Stonewall Jackson.

Donovan Jenkins led a balanced scoring attack with 15 points. Landon Graber and Christian Moats each finished with 13 points.

 Stuarts Draft erupted for 35 points in the first quarter to lead 35-7 and coasted the rest of the way. The Cougars hit five 3-pointers in the opening quarter.

Stuarts Draft 64, Stonewall Jackson 22 (Girls)

QUICKSBURG – Stuarts Draft jumped out to a double-digit, 17-5, lead after one quarter Monday night and finished with a dominant 64-22 victory over Stonewall Jackson in girls basketball action.

Augusta Seibert led the Cougars with 19 points and Karlee Lane finished with 14. Seibert and Lane each finished with three 3-pointers.