MELVERN – The Altoona-Midway High School basketball teams both dropped decisions to host squads from Marais Des Cygnes Valley in the opening round of the Valley Tip Off Classic here Tuesday.
AMHS fell to the Trojans 54-37 in the boys’ contest, while the Lady Jets were on the short end of a 67-4 final against MDCV.
The Altoona-Midway teams are scheduled to continue play in the Tip Off Classic with doubleheaders slated Thursday and Friday. The AMHS opponent will be Hartford on Thursday, and Southern Coffey County on Friday, with all games being played at Melvern.
Jet squads have a busy schedule leading up to Christmas break, as next week’s slate includes another three games. AMHS has a pair of home dates, Monday, Dec. 15 (versus Liberty Homeschool Alliance) and Tuesday, Dec. 16 (against Pleasanton), as well as a road trip to Central Heights on Friday, Dec. 19, to close out first-semester action.
AMHS BOYS
The Altoona-Midway boys were very competitive in the first half here Monday, and trailed only 25-19 at the break. But Marais Des Cygnes Valley outscored the Jets 16-4 to open up a 41-23 advantage entering the final period, and went on to post a 54-37 triumph.
We did not secure a win tonight, but we did see a lot of improvement,” commented AMHS head coach Dave Vance. “The effort was good, and overall there was much improvement; that is the main thing we’re looking for – steady improvement throughout this season.”
Chance Carter scorched the nets for 11 first-half points while Kage Beck added seven before half to keep the Jets within striking distance.
Beck finished with a team-high 16 points for the night, while Carter tossed in 15. Taj Chism chipped in five points, and Chance Mustain added a free throw to round out the scoring.
In the rebounding department, Carter and Beck hauled in eight and six, respectively, while Chism and Mustain each grabbed four and Caden Sicka cleared three. Beck also had four steals.
“Our shooting percentages went up from what they had been, and we cut our turnovers down some,” Vance said. “We just let the Trojans score too many points, mainly in the third quarter.”
MDCV’s Lingenfelter ratted the nets for 22 points, including four treys, to lead all scorers, while Reed fired in 17 points for the Trojans.
AMHS GIRLS
The girls’ game saw host Marais Des Cygnes Valley roll to a 67-4 victory. The Lady Trojans led 16-2 at the quarter and 31-2 at intermission.
“Obviously, we didn’t play well, but Marais Des Cygnes Valley is very good,” noted AMHS girls’ coach Jessica Porter. “Hopefully, we’ll get into a swing of things by the end of the tournament.”
Baskets by Ava Tindle in the first quarter and Brooklynn Collins in the third period were the only points the Lady Jets were able to muster.
Criqui poured in 19 points to pace MDCV, while Stahl chipped in 15. Cormode netted 13 and Rose 10 for the Lady Trojans.