The Altoona-Midway Middle School basketball teams split a pair of “A” games with the Marmaton Valley Wildcats here Tuesday.
The Jets were victorious in the Boys’ “A” game, claiming a 35-29 victory.
“Our varsity boys were fired up and ready to go tonight,” said AMMS coach Marci Henderson. “They played solid zone defense. Even when our shots went cold for a while, we still had great stealing and rebounding. It was a total team effort.”
Jackson Ashmore led the Jets, pouring in 22 points, many of them in the crucial second half, when AMMS rallied from a 17-15 deficit at intermission.
Dalton Smith and Zeek Roby also pitched in offensively with seven and five points, respectively. Roby had a big three-point basket late in the game to help seal the victory.
“The bench was ready to go when needed, and the crowd was pumped and kept the team fighting hard,” Henderson added. “I’m so proud of the fight these boys have, and their passion for the game.”
In the Girls’ “A” matchup, the Lady Jets had trouble with turnovers as Marmaton Valley notched a 19-5 triumph.
“The girls played hard, but we didn’t handle the pressure of Moran’s defense,” said AMMS girls’ coach Kate Walker. “We had a lot of turnovers and that needs to be addressed, because we didn’t get many shots attempted, and that is what kept our score down. But the girls played hard and stayed in the game.” The Lady Wildcats led 8-3 at halftime and outscored AMMS 11-2 in the second half.
Mariah Stackhouse scored two points while Bailey Graham, Ava Hufford and Emma Martin each added one for the Lady Jets.
In a pair of two-quarter “B” games, Marmaton Valley posted victories in both, 4-2 in the boys’ game and 14-8 on the girls’ side.
Altoona-Midway Middle School will host St. Pats of Parsons on Thursday for their final games before Christmas break.