The fourth annual Wes Strader Schoolboy Classic took place Saturday afternoon at Warren Central High School and featured a pair of Region 4 boys’ basketball teams.
Those two area clubs – Greenwood and Warren Central – both earned wins in their respective games.
Here’s a roundup from Saturday’s set of games involving the Gators and Dragons:
Greenwood beats Owensboro Catholic for fourth straight win
Greenwood is playing at a high level at the right time.
The Gators, who on Friday earned a 71-69 win over District 14 opponent South Warren, added another big win – their fourth straight – to the resume on Saturday, defeating Owensboro Catholic 52-49 in the opening game of the Wes Strader Schoolboy Classic.
“It’s just a lot of toughness and fight that we have,” Greenwood guard Noah Stansbury said. “It’s tough playing a day after an emotional game last night with a tough win. (It was big) to come back again early and get another big win.”
Greenwood – which is now 12-11 on the season – trailed 15-8 after the opening quarter but rallied back in the second period to cut its deficit to just 23-21 at halftime. The Gators continued to fight throughout the second half and did enough to jump in front of the Aces and hold on for a marquee victory.
Stansbury made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points to lead the Gators, Jack Roberts scored 13, Cade Stinnett tallied 11 and Parker Williams finished with 10.
“We’re on a roll right now at the best time of the year,” Stansbury said. “We’re going into the district tournament soon is the best time to be playing good right now.”
John Parker led Owensboro Catholic (14-8) with 15 points.
Greenwood returns to action Tuesday as it hosts Logan County at 7:30 p.m.
Owensboro Catholic – 15 8 10 16 — 49
Greenwood – 8 13 15 16 — 52
OCHS – John Parker 15, Peyton Survant 9, Andrew Riney 9, Zach Cecil 8, Ty Vincent 5, Drew Hartz 3.
GHS – Noah Stansbury 14, Jack Roberts 13, Cade Stinnett 11, Parker Williams 10, Ben Carroll 2, Chandler Wilson 2.
Warren Central wins 66-54 over Collins for third straight victory
Warren Central is beginning to find its groove.
The Dragons, who dropped three straight games from Jan. 7-15, have now won five out of their last six – most recently recording a 66-54 win over Collins on Saturday in the Wes Strader Schoolboy Classic on their home court.
“We’re starting to play with some confidence,” Warren Central coach William Unseld said. “We’re starting to play our best basketball of the year. We’re starting to put the pieces together. We’ve put together a lineup and are locked in to our rotation – and those guys are playing really well. We’ve got a really good basketball team right now.”
Central – now 14-7 on the season with three straight wins under its belt – trailed 14-10 after the opening quarter but outscored Collins 19-11 in the second period to take a 29-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Dragons continued to stay in front throughout the second half and held off the Titans for the victory.
Dre Boyd led the way for Warren Central with 21 points, while Kobe Brents finished with 17 – including knocking down five 3-pointers – and Jamale Barber tallied eight. The Dragons shot 10-of-18 from beyond the arc as a team.
“It was good,” Brents said of the win. “We kept fighting, pushing and listening to what Coach Unseld said. “We just had our energy and kept pushing.
Dayvion McKnight – a Western Kentucky target – carried Collins (17-8) with a game-high 21 points. Marcellus Vail finished with 20 for the Titans.
Warren Central returns to action Tuesday on the road at Russellville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
Collins – 14 11 9 20 — 54
Warren Central – 10 19 18 19 — 66
CHS – Dayvion McKnight 21, Marcellus Vail 20, Dane Kidwell 6, Colby Eades 3, Sam Edwards 2.
WCHS – Dre Boyd 21, Kobe Brents 17, Jamale Barber 8, Tayshaun Bibb 8, Tre Pillow 5, Tegra Muleka 3, Kamden Lawrence 2.
