Blackcats splash 13 threes to join Thanksgiving semifinals
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Fredericktown guard Ryder McMinn (14) shoots a 3-pointer against Bismarck during the third quarter of an Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament first-round game on Tuesday night in Ironton. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
By MATT KING
IRONTON – Even without its floor leader and top scorer from last season available, the Fredericktown boys basketball team cruised through its season opener on Tuesday night.
Mason Cureton paced five players in double figures with 17 points, and the Blackcats struck 13 times from 3-point range to rout Bismarck 84-30 at the Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament.
Michael Johnson drained four 3-pointers to score 12, and Dariyon Catchings added 11. Fredericktown (1-0) advanced to face top seed South Iron on Wednesday.
Bismarck (1-1) received 16 points and five rebounds from forward August Martinez, but faded with 13 first-half turnovers after grabbing an early lead.
Consecutive baskets by Austin Dunlap and Martinez opened the game, but the higher-seeded Blackcats commenced a dominant 30-2 run when Blake Terry-Breakfield sank his second triple.

Bismarck forward August Martinez (10) attempts a mid-range jump shot over Fredericktown forward Cullen Richey (23) during the first quarter of an Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament first-round game on Tuesday night in Ironton. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
Cureton finished an outlet pass from Catchings off a steal, and Andrew Robbins netted his second putback after a missed free throw for a 24-9 advantage as the first quarter ended.
Johnson hit from long range, and Ryder McMinn made an ensuing steal to find Crites ahead of the pack midway through the second. The Cats countered three Martinez baskets for a 45-15 lead at halftime.
Fredericktown committed 11 fouls in the third quarter despite building the massive cushion, and is expecting to have star sophomore Tucker Reutzel back next week.
Terry-Breakfield had 10 points with eight rebounds, but picked up his fourth personal just 21 seconds after returning from the break. Robbins tallied 10 points with seven rebounds.
McMinn contributed three 3-pointers plus three steals, and Crites chipped in seven points as 10 players scored for the Blackcats.
Dunlap notched nine points and seven rebounds for the Indians, who were down two usual starters. Bismarck was 14-of-26 from the line.
Valley 73, Bourbon 32
BOURBON, Mo. – Noah Abney scored 10 of his 22 points in the second quarter, and Valley opened its season Tuesday night with a 73-32 blowout victory over Bourbon.
Ryder Yount added 15 points, and the visiting Vikings posted a massive 52-20 lead at halftime. They were a collected 8-of-10 from the line.
Keller Loughary finished with 13 points, and drained three 3-pointers in the first quarter to spur Valley (1-0) to a comfortable 29-10 advantage.
Hunter Moore and Carter Jones chipped in six points each as the Vikings featured four new starters.
Owen Miller tallied nine points, and Dawson King dropped in six for Bourbon (0-2).

Fredericktown guard Cooper Crites (3) attempts a jump shot as Bismarck forward Micah McClain (40) defends during the fourth quarter of an Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament first-round game on Tuesday night in Ironton. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

Bismarck guard Austin Dunlap (11) shoots as Fredericktown center Andrew Robbins (31) contests during the first quarter of an Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament first-round game on Tuesday night in Ironton. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

Fredericktown guard Dariyon Catchings (2) dribbles along the perimeter during the first quarter of an Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament first-round game against Bismarck on Tuesday night in Ironton. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

Bismarck guard Carson Stricklin (23) looks for an open teammate as Fredericktown guard Dariyon Catchings (2) defends during the second quarter of an Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament first-round game on Tuesday night in Ironton. (Matt King, Daily Journal)
