Basketball

Linden-KIldare

The Linden Kildare Tigers’ varsity boys’ basketball team has been on a roll since opening the season with back-to-back losses.

L-K opened up the schedule with a 73-61 loss to DeKalb and then fell to New Boston 60-51. Since that time the Tigers have reeled off eight straight

Since that time the Tigers have reeled off eight straight wins.

That hot streak began with a narrow 52-51 win over Hooks on Nov. 23, followed by a 56-45 win over Maud on Nov. 24.

The Tigers rolled Redwater 79-42 on Dec. 1, behind hot shooting from Mason Johnson who led all scorers with 26. Chase Bynum added 20 and both Puff Peters and Jordan Swanson scored in double figures as well.

L-K got out to a fast start against the Dragons, going on a 14-2 run in the first four minutes and ending the opening quarter with a 28-5 lead.

The Tigers never looked back as they won by 37 points.

The JV boys’ team fought hard, but came up on short end losing 28-16.

Bright spots for the JV were Maleki Castleberry and teammate PJ Washington who came in and provided a spark for the Tigers as well. He left it all out on the floor.

L-K visited Hughes Springs Dec. 4, and soared to a 53-25 win.

The Tigers pulled away just before the half on a Russel Nance running jumper buzzer beater.

L-K came out inspired in the second half spearheaded by steals from Jonathan Owen and Chase Bynum. Mason Johnson continued his hot shooting streak by leading the Tigers with 19 points.

Puff Peters and Jordan Swanson provided a strong inside presence versus the Mustangs.

The Tigers also got reserve contributions from Nance (four points and two steals), Critter Palmer (two steals and three rebounds) and Tawin Patterson who scored three points after seeing his first action of the season.

The JV squad was able to notch their first win of the season in a thrilling comeback victory by the score of 23-22.

The second half surge was spearheaded by Maleki Castleberry, Cade Bynum, PJ Washington and Ja’Kyrik Nard.

The very next day, Dec. 5, the Tigers traveled to Ore City to take on the Rebels.

The Rebels came out blazing against the Tigers’ defense scoring 17 first quarter points.

L-K tightened up after that only giving up 17 points in the remaining three quarters as the Tigers sealed up a 52-34 decision.

The Tigers ventured into hostile territory Dec. 8, in northern Cass County taking on a longtime rival, the Queen City Bulldogs.

Once again, the Tigers started slowly and struggled against the Bulldogs’ athleticism.

L-K led 13-11 after one quarter of play and were tied at 22-all going into the half.

During the third quarter, the tides turned in the Tigers’ favor. L-K amped up the defensive intensity and took a 36- 31 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Tigers stretched the lead out to nine late in the contest but with two minutes remaining in the game the Bulldogs began to make a furious comeback with a 7-0 run. The score was 45-43 when Russel Nance stepped to the

The score was 45-43 when Russel Nance stepped to the free throw line and converted the front-end of a 1-and-1.

Chase Bynum was fouled after a defensive stop and calmly stepped up and converted two free-throws.

The Tigers escaped Queen City with a 50-43 victory. Next up for the Tigers was a solid Paul Pewitt team but

Next up for the Tigers was a solid Paul Pewitt team but L-K breezed by the Brahmas 72-42 on Dec. 11.

L-K’s latest victim was Elysian Fields who hosted the Tigers Dec. 12. The Tigers were locked in and left town with a 62-33 victory.

Clarksville welcomes L-K to town Friday, Dec. 18, in a battle of the blue and white Tigers.

QC 42 - PG 36

Queen City’s varsity girls’ basketball squad pulled out a 42-36 win over Pleasant Grove Dec. 12.

Jamecia Cook led the way in scoring for QC with 11 points, Hannah Fitts added seven, Chloe Phillipi had six, Alex Larry and Gracie Weeks posted five apiece, Nyla Harrison and Serenity Oden scored two each and both Mallori Stringer and Lauren Carrell scored one point each.

QC 30 – PG 35

Queen City’s JV girls’ basketball team dropped a close game to Pleasant Grove 35-30.

Erica Lavoie led the way with 15 points, Aubrie Kiser recorded nine and Jenna Lavoie Trinity Oden, and Trinity Jimenez posted three points apiece.