Wildcats Pull Away From Van Buren Co In Second Half

Monterey’s boys basketball team pushed a two point halftime lead to 18 in the second half as they knocked off Van Buren County, 78 to 60 Saturday night in Monterey.

Each team score 18 first quarter points and the Wildcats out scored Van Buren 17 to 15 as they took a 35 to 33 lead into halftime.

Monterey scored 24 third quarter points to Van Buren County’s 14. The Wildcats were able to push their lead out a little further in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Eagles 19 to 13.

Van Buren County’s Austin Hodges continued his hot week shooting as he hit five first half threes. As a team Van Buren hit 13, three point shots and finished five out of 10 at the free throw line.

Monterey hit only six, threes for the game but they had an advantage at the free throw line where they hit 18 of their 25 attempts.

Monterey’s Peyton West scored a game high 23 points. West added six assist to his stat line as well. Caden Jones and Silas Randolph each scored 15 points.

Austin Hodges led Van Buren County in points with 22. Jacon Guy added 16 points of his own and Steven England scored 11.

Monterey’s win improves their record to 16-4, 5-2. The Wildcats play this Tuesday night at Red Boiling Springs.

The loss drops the Eagles to 4-12, 2-0 on the season. Van Buren County looks to stay unbeaten in district play as they head to South Pittsburg this Tuesday.