GIRLS - Holton (1-2) 49, Royal Valley (1-2) 42 overtime

BOYS - Holton (3-0) 58, Royal Valley (1-2) 30

It was a struggle in the girls game with nearly 60 total turnovers and cold shooting on a Friday night to open Big 7 League play. Yet, Holton prevailed to earn their first win of the season and stretch their league winning streak to 113. The Wildcats jumped to a 10-0 lead, only to have Royal Valley score the next 14 points and the Panthers were ahead 16-13 at halftime. Holton took the lead in the fourth quarter, but watched a 7-point advantage disappear in the final 1:20 of regulation as Jaycee Worrell hit a trey and Levonna Biggoose nailed a trifecta with 12.2 left to tie the game at 40-40. With four players fouled out for Royal Valley, the Panthers could not muster a win on their home court despite a gutty effort.

Courtney Boswell hit 11 of 13 free throws in the game and scored 13 points as the Cats were overall just 22 of 41 at the charity stripe. Kyrstie Miller nearly recorded a quadruple double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals and 6 assists. Ashlyn Weilert added 7 points for Holton while Worrell led RV with 13 and Kassidy Dahl and Leslie Shuetz each chipped in 8.

The Holton boys never trailed and pulled away with a 25-8 second quarter and led by 19 points at halftime before coasting to the win with a running clock through the fourth period. Ethan Holaday starred with 21 points including 5 treys and scored 12 points in that pivotal second stanza. Trey Tanking added 14 and Garrett Beecher had 10 for the unbeaten Wildcats. Royal Valley played with Austin Hodison and Derrick Barger because of injury and leading scorer, Skyler Link did not play either. Pete Popkess scored 8 to pace the Panthers.