Monday marked the start of 3-5 grade elementary basketball in Warren County.
As elementary basketball got its start Monday night, the Warren County Way dispatched Jeff Simmons and Rudy DeArmond to local gyms to catch all of the action. You can get all your local elementary basketball coverage FREE all season on the Warren County Way. See below a breakdown of all the games from Monday night.
Boyd Lady Broncos 33
Bobby Ray Lady Stars 1
The Lady Broncos set out Monday night to prove their second-place finish in the elementary league last year was no fluke. If anything, it’s just a season of unfinished business.
With Sky Wright leading the way and Boyd looking like it has once again assembled a relentless team of defenders, the Lady Broncos cruised to a 33-1 victory on the road.
Wright did the heavy lifting offensively, scoring a game-high 18 points despite playing just three quarters and sitting out much of the second and third. One of the league’s top returning players, she immediately looked comfortable digging in defensively while also doing a bit of everything for the Lady Broncos. She pulled in offensive rebounds, facilitated the offense and worked as a coach on the floor while her mom, Haley Nowlin, picked up her first elementary win.
For Nowlin, it was all about finding ways to make plays while continuing to lock down on the other end.
“Defense and adjusting,” said Nowlin when asked what her team did well. “We are still learning and getting comfortable so we worked a few rotations to learn the team better.”
Oly Cathcart, another returning starter, finished with six points, while Kayla Brewer stepped up with four points. Adrianna Helton and Juliette Ferguson finished with two points each and Britta Burger capped the scoring with a free throw.
Nyla Millraney was able to get Bobby Ray on the board with a free throw in the fourth quarter.
Boyd returns to action Thursday looking for a perfect week and will get a chance to do it at home. The Lady Broncos host Dibrell with tip-off set for 6 p.m. Bobby Ray will travel to Centertown, where it will face the Lady Warriors after they came off a big win over Dibrell Monday.
Boyd Broncos 12
Bobby Ray Stars 11 (OT)
It may have been missing the stars who made this a championship matchup to finish the 3-5 grade elementary league last year, but the gym was just as electric on opening night when Boyd and Bobby Ray clashed.
It took extra time to decide the winner as big man Heath Judkins’ free throw in OT proved to be the difference in a 12-11 battle.
The final minutes, both in OT and the fourth quarter, were as tense as when the teams were battling for a championship trophy last year before Thanksgiving. Judkins had a big bucket inside to expand the Boyd lead to 11-7 at one point in the fourth, but Jayden Terry got the Stars rolling with a 16-footer from the baseline to make it a one-possession game.
Terry, who led the Stars with six points, kept firing late, turning steals into potential game-tying baskets in the final two minutes. Ultimately, it was an offensive rebound that would push the Stars to knot the score.
Adam Anderson made his only basket of the night count, swooping in after a shot came off the rim and into the paint. Anderson quickly secured the board and banked in a shot with 32.7 seconds left, setting up a wild finish.
One of the craziest final-second scenarios almost played out when Boyd inbounded the ball in the backcourt and a Bronco got confused, taking aim at his own goal and nearly making a layup that would’ve given the Stars the win.
Instead, Boyd was able to corral the loose ball as time expired and move into OT.
In extra time, Judkins showed he couldn’t be stopped in the paint, working his way into a big offensive rebound and trying to muscle a shot up between two Stars. Bobby Ray was called for a foul and Judkins split the free throws, putting Boyd back up.
The Stars wouldn’t go away. Bobby Ray had several attempts to make a comeback, including having one layup barely spin out with a minute to play, but the Stars couldn’t get any to fall. Judkins and Jax Burger kept cleaning the glass and pushing the ball back up the court, but the Stars still found last-second chances.
With 6.8 seconds left, Bobby Ray got its last chance when Terry went flying up the court following a timeout in hopes of covering 94 feet and getting a winning shot at the buzzer. His last-second heave missed the mark though, allowing Boyd to leave with the visiting crowd going crazy.
“Both teams were replacing basically all of our production from last year’s teams,” Boyd coach Brian Reed said. “It was a matter of whose strengths would win out, their speed and PG play, and our size and post play. My guys hustled more than any team I’ve ever had and learned a lot of valuable lessons that we can build on for the rest of the season. In the end, luck may have been the biggest factor on the scoreboard, and I’ll take it.”
Boyd will try to make it a 2-0 start when it clashes with the Dibrell Wildcats at home Thursday night. Bobby Ray hits the road to Centertown in hopes of bouncing back Thursday night.
Hickory Creek Lady Hawks 16
Eastside Lady Bulldogs 5
The Lady Hawks aren’t going to give up their championship mantle without a fight. In fact, Hickory Creek won’t let other teams score without some major effort.
Behind a ferocious defense at home that held Eastside scoreless for a half, the Lady Hawks began their elementary title defense with a 16-5 victory over the Lady Bulldogs.
Coach Shea Panter, who is now coaching both Hickory Creek teams and saw her squads sweep on opening night, thought there was a common theme in both games.
“Pressure,” summed up Panter when asked how Hickory Creek set the tone on opening night. “(We) wanted to let the defense be our offense. We won’t be able to do that every night but we will do it while we can.”
The team’s all-out effort on defense fueled an offense that will be looking for new leading scorers after Daelyn Roland, Karah Fish and Priscilla Moore all moved up to the WCMS sixth-grade team. On opening night, Hattie Scott – a valuable role player during last year’s title run – stepped up with a team-high six points.
The rest came from an array of options, with Blakely Martin, Daisy George, Abi Lewis, Kimber Lowe and Addy Walters all scoring two points each for the Lady Hawks.
Mia Rodriguez was able to break up the shutout in the third quarter with a bucket and Sayla Winfree got on the board with a jumper in the fourth quarter for the Lady Bulldogs. Avery Kate Basham wrapped up the scoring for Eastside.
Asher Mathis was a scoring machine for Hickory Creek Monday night.
Hickory Creek Hawks 46
Eastside Bulldogs 8
Asher Mathis came out Monday looking like he wanted to win the elementary scoring title on opening night. With Mathis pouring in 16 points – 12 coming in the first quarter – Hickory Creek overwhelmed Eastside 46-8 in its home debut under coach Panter.
Mathis was at the forefront of an elite press defense that barely let Eastside cross half court for the first 10 minutes. Hickory Creek’s point guard turned steals into easy layups, fueling an offense that rolled up 18 straight points before Eastside could get on the board.
Kaden Tate was able to bust up the shutout right before the end of the first quarter with a jumper for the Bulldogs, but the Hawks came right back out soaring in the second.
Beckett Butler had a pair of buckets in the second and Caleb Lippe, who finished with four points for the Hawks, also had a big shot before halftime as Hickory Creek led 28-6 by the break.
Po Haywood and Preston Wanamaker got the fans on their feet in the second half for the Hawks, scoring four points apiece. Haywood ultimately finished with six points, while Butler had eight and Corbin Kesey had four for the Hawks. Tucker Bowling also got into the mix, scoring through contact in the fourth quarter, while Noah Mallett got on the board before halftime for Hickory Creek.
Eastside got two points each from Tate, Grey Rambo, Grayson Shaffer and Matthias Wilture.
Brent Carden photo - Cami Lopez had a big opening night for Centertown on the road Monday.
Centertown Lady Warriors 35
Dibrell Lady Wildcats 9
The Centertown Lady Warriors are also looking to ascend back to the top of elementary basketball after being knocked off their perch following a three-year stay last year. Early returns show the Lady Warriors have the firepower to make a run this season.
With Camilla Lopez scorching the nets and Centertown’s well-rounded lineup rolling off 20 points in the opening quarter, the Lady Warriors routed Dibrell 35-9 on the road.
Lopez ended up outscoring the Lady Wildcats on her own, pouring in 14 points – 10 in the second half – as Centertown ran away with a win on opening night.
“I think we have a competitive squad this year,” said coach Brittany McGee. “Being the first game, we see what we need to work on. We’re ready to get in the gym tomorrow and I’m excited to see all the kids grow this year.”
The first quarter was when the statement was made. Centertown was relentless in its hustle, pouring in buckets after creating turnovers at an elite clip. Chloe Melton scored six of her eight points during the period, while Ava Youngblood also chipped in a pair of baskets.
Mia Higgins, Arie Shehane and Audree Fitts also finished with buckets in the first quarter, scoring two points each during the victory. Hadley Higgins wrapped up the scoring with three points in the fourth quarter.
Dibrell found its offense in the second half as Piper Hall got a pair of late layups and Lyla Wood joined her with four points. Lynsy Mingle wrapped up the scoring with one point.
Centertown Warriors 34
Dibrell 22
Don’t expect the Centertown Warriors to stay out of the championship picture very long, especially in Warren County elementary basketball. Behind 10 points apiece from Colt Bratchera and Greyson Eubanks, the Warriors were back to their high-flying ways on the road Monday in the season opener, beating Dibrell 34-22.
A tight game in the beginning – the teams knotted up at 6-6 after 10 minutes – started to turn Centertown’s way in the second quarter when Bratcher was able to connect on a pair of buckets. It was the perfect 1-2 punch after Eubanks opened by scoring all of his team’s first-quarter points, then added another bucket in the second quarter.
Kim Woods’ halftime speech proved to be the ultimate motivator though as Centertown immediately raced out of the gates in the second half to turn a 14-9 battle into a double-digit statement.
Bratcher had three buckets in the third quarter as the Warriors extended their lead, while Noah Simpson scored all eight of his points in the second half to secure the victory.
River Rice paced Dibrell with 10 points while Jeb Culwell and Jean Garcia finished with six points apiece.
Centertown can make it a 2-0 start when Bobby Ray travels to face the Warriors Thursday, while Dibrell will be trying to bounce back in a road matchup with Boyd.
Irving College Lady Tigers 19
Morrison Lady Eagles 10
Irving College Girls basketball team brought the intensity from the jump ball all the way to the final whistle. The Lady Tigers put together a strong season-opening performance win, defeating the Lady Eagles 19-10.
From the opening tip, the Lady Tigers brought energy, intensity, and confidence to the court, setting the tone for what they hope will be a successful season.
“Last year, we were a very young team, so this year, I knew that we were going to be ready and focused,” said head coach Jasmine Evans. Last season, the Lady Tigers had to learn how to navigate the game without a single 5th grader on the court. They have seemed to learn many lessons to come together as a young team and build chemistry on the floor.
At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Tigers lead the Lady Eagles 6-2, with all those 6 points scored by #14 Hadlee Green.
Defensively for Irving College is where many of their points came from. Hadlee Green and Sophia Stubblefield helped set the tone defensively from the top of Irving College’s 2-3 zone, creating problems for the Lady Eagles. The Lady Tigers turned those steals into transitional opportunities, converting several into easy layups on the other end.
Hadlee Green and Sophia Stubblefield ready for anything at the top of a 2-3 Zone.
At the half, the Lady Tigers led 9-4 and they came out of the locker room ready for the second half. They had the same intensity as the first, keeping their foot on the gas to extend the lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Lady Tigers found themselves in the lead by 7, 15-8.
Irving College kept pushing through late game tiredness to secure the 19-10 win over Morrison Elementary. The Lady Tigers were lead by #14 Hadlee Green as she finished with 10 points. Evans had accomplished the night she had hoped for her team.
“I am very proud, because we are very young, very small, but we have worked hard and the girls will do anything for me,” said Evans.
Irving College Tigers 28
Morrison Eagles 23
The Irving College boys basketball team came out with the same intensity as the Lady Tigers, opening the season with a hard-fought 28-23 victory over Morrison Elementary.
The Tigers set the tone early, playing with confidence and physicality at the opening tip proving they wanted to protect their home court on opening night.
“I am very excited, this was my first time coaching boys at this age. To be honest, it was a little challenging because we have had some rough practices, but I am noticing improvement from those and we can only grow from there,” said head coach Jasmine Evans.
The Tigers led at the end of the first quarter 8-2, although the Eagles never got too far behind. After the second quarter started, the Eagles came out with some energy defensively to get stops and steals. The Tigers went into halftime leading 14-7.
Irving College and Morrison both came out of halftime looking to play physically with each other. The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter but the Tigers were still on top after the end of the third quarter, 18-13.
With only a five point difference separating the teams entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers knew they would have to stay composed to finish the job. The Eagles kept cutting into the deficit to stay within reach, eventually applying full-court pressure as the game was coming to a close.
The Eagles were able to force a few defensive stops, but the Eagles could not find enough offense to complete the comeback. Irving College held on late in the final quarter and made the plays necessary to close out the 28-23 victory.
“I have really high expectations of these boys, I also have a lot of energy. I made my expectations clear to them and they were able to get it done,” said Evans.
Game results will be added as their submitted to the Warren County Way.
Thursday night schedule
Bobby Ray at Centertown, 6 p.m.
Dibrell at Boyd, 6 p.m.
Hickory Creek at West, 6 p.m.
Irving College at Eastside, 6 p.m.
