Holton KS,

Big 7 league action continued on Tuesday with Jeff West coming to Holton and sweeping the Wildcats.

GIRLS = Jeff West 26, Holton 24

A defensive game ensued in the girls contest with Holton taking a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter but the scoring slowed down for the 'Cats as Jeff West started to pick it up as the teams were tied 11-11 at the end of the first half. The third quarter was a lot the same with Holton edging the Tigers to lead 19-18 at the end of three quarters. Defensively both teams ramped it up in the final stanza but turnovers by Holton and patience by Jeff West saw a tie game with 1:31 left and Jeff West possessing the basketball. The Tigers would run the clock all the way down to 1.8 seconds before Heather Kahler hit a baseline jumper to put the Tigers up for good. Holton's Saydee Tanking fired up a three quarter court shot that was no good and Jeff West escaped with the 26-24 victory.

The Tigers were led in scoring by Sophomore Kristen Biltoff who had 10 and both Kiley Biltoff and Kahler chipped in 4 points each. The Tigers are now 3-4 (3-2 league play) and will face off with top league team Nemaha Central at home on Friday.

Holton was led by Tanking with 12 points, but the Wildcats who force an average of 28 turnovers a game lost the turnover battle, giving up 19 turnovers while forcing just 13. Holton now posts a record of 4-2 (3-2 league play) and will look to bounce back against Hiawatha at home on Friday.

BOYS = Jeff West 57, Holton 38

A higher scoring battle compared to the girls contest saw Jeff West lead 11-7 at the end of one quarter and carry that momentum to the halftime break up 21-14. Holton would make a push in the third quarter getting as close as 29-27 before Jeff West stymied the run and closed out the third frame on an 11-1 run to lead 40-28. A fourth quarter that was much the same for the Tigers, extending their lead to claim victory 57-38.

Jeff West proved interior presence is a must for them as the Tigers dominated the paint led by Senior Bryce Clements with 20 points and Junior Garrett Athon with 13. Senior Quinn Nuenswander also found double figures with 10 as balance bred success for Jeff West on the road. The Tigers 5-2 (3-2 league play) will now host Nemaha Central in the final game before mid-season tournament time on Friday.

For the second straight game, opponents have shut down Holton's number one scorer Junior Blake Mulroy. Mulroy was averaging 17 points per game heading into the New Year but since the turn of the calendar has just posted 3 points per outing in two games. The 'Cats were led by Junior Kale Purcell with 10 points and Senior Eli Prine chipped in with 8. Holton 2-4 (2-3 league play) will host Hiawatha on Friday.