Perimeter shooting helps Potosi advance

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS - Five three-point field goals during the third quarter helped ninth-seeded Potosi slip past Arcadia Valley, 55-52 in the opening round of the 53rd Central Christmas Tournament on Friday evening.

Tyler Shepard and Landon Young each netted 13 points to lead four Trojans in double figures. Potosi (5-4) earned a quarterfinal matchup with top-seeded Hillsboro on Monday after Danny Rulo and Zach Gibson added 10 points each.

Potosi reached its largest lead of 42-34 when Rulo buried his third triple of the night, but Arcadia Valley (5-4) rallied quickly behind a key sequence of defensive steals.

Blake Walker made a reverse layup along the baseline after swiping the ball in the frontcourt, and twin brother Brock Walker scored with a jumper moments later to bring the eighth-seeded Tigers even with 6:53 remaining.

Shepard established himself as a primary option inside with eight points in the final stanza, including consecutive baskets on lob passes that put Potosi ahead to stay at 50-46.

Arcadia Valley, which held a narrow 23-22 lead at halftime, committed six turnovers over the final 3:40 of action, and the Trojans converted enough free throws to secure the victory.

Brock Walker paced all players with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Blake Walker also notched a double-double for the Tigers with 14 points and 10 boards. Chris Robbs and Jacob Spitzmiller each had eight points.

Spitzmiller finished two fast breaks late in the first quarter, and the Tigers enjoyed their largest lead of 17-9. Arcadia Valley failed to connect from three-point range and received no bench points.

Potosi  15   8  19  13 - 55

Arcadia Valley   9  13  16  14 - 52

SCORING:

Potosi - Shepard 13, Young 13, Gibson 10, Rulo 10, Eye 5, Belfield 2, Breakfield 2. 3-point FG - Rulo 3, Gibson 2, Young 2, Eye.

Arcadia Valley - Br Walker 19, Bl Walker 14, Spitzmiller 8, Robbs 8, Lindsey 3. 3-point FG - None.

Ste. Genevieve 50, Central 42

PARK HILLS - Senior Adam Roth and junior Keith Pfaff each finished with 13 points on Friday night, as fifth-seeded Ste. Genevieve survived a challenge from tournament host Central for a 50-42 victory.

Senior Kory Faulkner produced a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Dragons (5-1), who will battle De Soto in the quarterfinal round on Monday evening.

Both teams would struggle with shooting during a sluggish first half, but a late three-pointer from Roth gave Ste. Genevieve some separation with a 20-14 advantage.

Central (2-6) claimed an early 10-9 lead following inside baskets from Zac Cunningham and Cody Allen, but managed only four points during the second quarter and finished 4-of-10 overall from the line.

Ste. Genevieve appeared ready to pull away when a Faulkner putback created a double-digit margin in the third quarter, but only led 36-33 when Allen followed a missed shot for the Rebels with 5:20 left.

The Dragons displayed patient ball movement during their ensuing possessions, and restored a 43-34 advantage when an open Roth connected from long range. Faulkner earned a driving assist on the play with a kickout pass after cashing in his own offensive rebound seconds earlier.

Pfaff sealed the outcome with two late field goals as the aggressive Central defense gambled for steals near the perimeter to no avail.

Cunningham scored a game-high 14 points and Allen tallied 13 for the Rebels, who will face St. Clair today in the consolation bracket. Preston Harlow chipped in eight points.

Central  10   4  14  14 - 42

Ste. Genevieve  12   8  15  15 - 50

SCORING:

Central - Cunningham 14, Allen 13, Harlow 8, Martin 3, Jennings 2, J Jones 2. 3-point FG - Harlow 2.

Ste. Genevieve - Pfaff 13, Roth 13, Faulkner 11, B Meyer 7, J Meyer 4, Turek 2. 3-point FG - Roth 2, B Meyer.