LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Paris Junior League Basketball has returned for the 2024-25 season on Sunday afternoons at Ernie Eveland Gym. The league is open to fourth, fifth and sixth graders attending Edgar County Schools.
The first round of games, on Sunday, Nov. 3 ended in victory for the Cardinals, Colts, Eagles and Bears.
CARDINALS 37, PANTHERS 16
In the first game of the afternoon, the Cardinals and Panthers met on the hardwood. The Cardinals jumped off to a dominating first quarter and led 14-6.
The second quarter was a battle back and forth but the Cardinals still led 24- 12 at half. The Cardinals were just too much for the Panthers during the second half of play and they led 31-16 at the end of the third quarter. The birds put the icing on the cake in the fourth with a final score of 37 -16.
Leading the Cardinals was Hudson Jewell with nine points. Trailing right behind him were Sam Weit and Syrus Osborne with six points each, Owen Gosnell and Hunter Ford finished the day with four points apiece.
Zaydee Sinclair, Sutton Burns, Will Marrs and Elliot McConkey all had a basket for two points.
The Panthers were led by Carter Gore, Hudson Gilbert and Braxton Brewer, each with four points. Henry Gilbert finished with two points.
The Cardinals had a total of 12 team fouls and the Panthers had six.
COLTS 19, HAWKS 18
The second game of the afternoon was a barn burner; both teams battled back and forth sending the game into overtime before the Colts could take the win.
The Colts were outscored during the second quarter and the Hawks soared into a 10-6 lead at halftime.
Both teams returned to the court during the third quarter and gave it all they had. The Hawks still led 16- 12 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the game quickly turned around. The Hawks were only able to put two points on the board during the final quarter and the Colts were able to chalk up six points, enough to send the game into the first overtime of the season.
The Colts pumped in a basket and a free throw while denying their opponents any scoring and the Colts took the game.
Coby Beals led the Colts with his 12 points for the afternoon. Kinley Kindred had a basket and a couple of free throws for four. Krayton Dunn finished with three points and Kallen Keys put in a shot for two.
Liam Eveland and Phillip Williams paced the Hawks with six points each. Zayne Cusick, Boe Black and Cullen Vietor each connected with two points.
Both teams had 11 personal fouls for the day.
EAGLES 21, LIONS 13
In the third game of the day the Eagles flew to their first win of the new year by defeating the Lions. The Eagles took a 4-2 lead during the first quarter of play.
In the second quarter the Eagles exploded, taking a 14-4 lead by halftime. Scoring slowed down a little during the third quarter and the Eagles were feeling comfortable with their 19-7 lead. However, the Lions decided not to give up during the final quarter and added six points to the board while the Eagles added just one basket.
At the sound of the final buzzer the Eagles won with a score of 21-13.
Case Martin was on fire for the Eagles with six points. Fourth graders Anchor Sanstrom and Owen Smith each added four points.
Gus Bell had a basket and knocked in a free throw. Finishing up the scoring was Ryker Sanders and Kingston Hovis with two points each.
Fifth grader Killian Davis led the Lions with nine points. Monte Lynch and Kahlan Muchow finished with two points each.
The Lions had eight fouls and the Eagles finished with seven.
BEARS 28, TIGERS 25
The final game of the afternoon had fans on the edges of their seats with steady back-and-forth play the entire game.
At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers held an 8-7 lead. The Bears answered back during the second quarter of play and outscored the Tigers creating a 13-10 lead going into the third quarter.
Scoring was even during the third quarter. Heading into final quarter of play the Bears led 24-21. Once again play was pretty evenly matched and both teams pumped in a couple of baskets for four points and the final score was 28- 25 in favor of the Bears.
Leading the Bears to their first win was Saydin Christenberry with 12 points. Following right behind was sixth grader Tess Barrett, with 10 points for the afternoon.
Kolt Guyer added four points during the second quarter and Jordan Janis had a bucket.
Hunter Rollings led the Tigers with four buckets and two free throws. Sam Pitts added another six points and Lexie Sallee had four points.
Ethan and Chance Pitts each had two points and Greyson Brewington had a single free throw.
Both teams had a total of 13 fouls each.