Lee’s Summit North scored a season-high point total in posting a Suburban Big Seven 80-57 victory over host Blue Springs Friday night.
“Their speed really hurt us,” Blue Springs coach Frank Wheeler said. “It was tough to match up with their guards. They did a good job of penetrating and hurt us on the offensive boards. It was the same old story. We got down early and it became a battle to come back.”
Blue Springs (3-20, 1-11) was led in scoring by Drew Moore’s 14 points, DeVante Lewis’ 12, Jordan Nubine’s 11 and Eric Cloninger’s 10.
Kenny Berry’s 18 points, B.J. Dunbar’s 17, P.J. Lewis’ 14 and David Kravish’s 10 led North (17-7, 7-5).
North was never threatened after taking a 22-11 opening-quarter lead.
“We had been averaging 55 points a game,” North coach Mike Hilbert said. “We get 80 tonight with a lot in transition.
“We have won 10 or our last 12 and feel like we have figured out how to be successful. Our focus is good. We feel really good about districts. We will have to play two really good games.”
ST. MARY’S 48, MARANATHA ACADEMY 40: St. Mary’s survived a wild fourth quarter to post a Crossroads Conference victory at Maranatha.
The Trojans scored 23 points in the quarter, including 17 of 23 at the free throw line.
Maranatha retaliated with 24 points in the quarter as Seth Swank scored all 18 of his points, including five 3-pointers.
“The kids played great,” St. Mary’s coach Byron Jones said. “We played great defense throughout the game and really controlled the tempo. They stepped up and did a great job.”
Joey Kenney’s career-high 18 points followed by Brett Scassellati’s 17 guided the Trojans (11-12, 4-4). Devante Williams added 10 points for Maranatha.
The Trojans led 25-20 going into the fourth quarter in which they shot all 23 of their free throws. Maranatha was only 1 of 5.
LEE’S SUMMIT 67, BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH 60: A close game resulted in a Suburban Big Six victory for host Lee’s Summit.
The Tigers led 32-28 at halftime and then held on for the win in the final regular season game.
“We did a better job on (Shawn) Meyer in the second half,” Lee’s Summit coach Keith Miller said. “He really played well. He had 15 of his 21 points. We did a better job in transition and got some baskets.
“It was a nice win and good way to end our home schedule. It has been a nice season so far.”
Riley King added 14 points and D.J. Booker 12 for South (10-14, 4-8).
Sean Green had 16 points, Skyler Arbuckle 15 and Sam Sealer 14 for Lee’s Summit, which finished second in the conference at 8-4 and takes a 16-8 record into next week’s Class 5 district tournament at Blue Springs South.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS 56, OAK GROVE 45: A solid first half didn’t carry over into the second half, resulting in Oak Grove’s Missouri River Valley Conference West loss to host Excelsior Springs.
“We played great defense in the first half and than we struggled to stop Mike Birkeness in the second half,” Oak Grove coach Jerry Girdner said.
Oak Grove (6-17 overall, 2-8 conference) led 20-16 at halftime. But Excelsior outscored the Panthers 14-9 and 26-16 over the final two quarters for the victory.
Josh Morris had 19 points, Birkeness added 16 and Logan Butler had 14 in guiding the Tigers.
Tops for Oak Grove was Landon Grego’s 10 points. Eric Gant had nine and Tim O’Hare chipped in eight.
“We failed to execute down the stretch,” Girdner said. “Excelsior shot the ball really well and hit free throws.”
Oak Grove was a 57-51 junior varsity winner as Jackson Schnieders and Tanner Hipsher each scored 13 points.
GIRLS: The final quarter cost St. Mary’s.
The Trojans entered the fourth quarter with a 31-35 lead.
Then Maranatha Academy outscored the Trojans 18-5 to post a 43-36 Crossroads Conference victory.
“We got outhustled and turned the ball over way too much,” St. Mary’s coach Krista Daniels said.
Sarah Dortch had four 3-pointers on the way to 14 points in leading the Trojans (9-10 overall, 3-4 conference). Shauna Bauml and JoLynn Glorioso each added eight points.
Bethany Zarda totaled 11 points in pacing Maranatha.
