From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — Joplin wrestlers posted 25 pins while winning three matches Friday night in the Mudville Duals sponsored by Miami High School.
The Eagles posted three lopsided victories, but need at least one more win today to qualify for the semifinal round of the 13-team meet, according to Joplin High School coach Shawn Finch.
JHS opens action today at 10 a.m. against Piedmont (Okla.) High School. The Eagles meet Tahlequah at 11:30 and Miami at 1:45 p.m. Semifinals are tentatively scheduled to start at 3:30.
The Eagles opened action Friday with a 63-12 victory over third-seeded Independence, Kan. They whipped Coffeyville 67-12 and then stopped Bentonville, Ark., by the same margin.
“I think our guys were just fired up for some competition that wasn’t against the best kids in the country,” Finch said. “We wrestled the Tulsa Union Tournament last weekend and it was a good learning experience.
“Now they know how they’re supposed to act, how they’re supposed to wrestle and what we expect out of them.”
Nine Joplin wrestlers went 3-0 on the opening night of the Mudville meet.
Caleb Friend (125 pounds), Bryan White (160), Miles Copple (171) and Tyler Fortson (189) all recorded three pins.
Brycen Miner (103) had two wins by pin and one by forfeit. Logan Stover (135) won a pair of decisions and recorded a pin. Austin Karns (145) won by forfeit, by decision and by pin.
Josh Hutching (152) asnd Derek Pitts (215) each had a pair of pins and a decison.
Alex Karns (112) won his only two matches of the night.
“It was decent competition,” Finch said. “In some of those matches, we had to squeak out wins in the end. It was a lot closer than the score shows.”
BASKETBALL
McAuley prevails
McAuley Catholic staved off a fourth-quarter comeback by visiting Pierce City to win a 54-51 boys nonconference outing.
The Warriors, hiking their record to 4-2, led 30-24 at halftime but were outscored 12-8 in the final quarter.
The score was tied at 51-all with 48 seconds to go when the Warriors made one of two free throws on a technical foul. Kevin O’Keefe was fouled on the next possession and sank both free throws with 14 seconds remaining.
“We weren’t handling the pressure very well in the fourth quarter,” said McAuley coach Chuck Williams. “We buckled down and executed when we needed to, however.”
Brant Russell netted 15 points and O’Keefe had 14 to lead the Warriors. Dietrick Sooter poured in 16 and brother Wayne added 14 to top Pierce City.
College Heights upended
The College Heights boys increased their intensity in the second half but could not overcome visiting Diamond, which went on to win 56-39.
The Wildcats, topped by Kyle Heman’s 19 points, led 22-11 at halftime.
“Our third and fourth quarters were among our better efforts but we just need more experience,” said College Heights coach Charlie Williams.
Jeremy Jones collected 11 points and Paul Emery 10 for the Cougars, who dropped to 2-6. Emery and Alex Chaney also had 10 rebounds apiece.
Colgan girls win
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — St. Mary’s-Colgan outscored the Carl Junction girls 14-2 in the fourth quarter and went on to topple the Bulldogs 63-41.
Lisa Elmer scored 20 points to lead Colgan (3-0) and all scorers. Lauren McRae topped Carl Junction (3-4) with 17.
Colgan led 33-26 at halftime.
Colgan boys, 69-51
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Jesse Watt finished with 31 points as the Panthers rallied from a 14-9 deficit after one period in the nonconference contest.
“We had too many turnovers,” Carl Junction assistant Mark Robertson said. “We may have had six turnovers in a row in the second quarter leading to points. We missed several layups, too, during the game.”
St. Mary’s-Colgan used the first of three 20-point quarters to lead 29-22 at the half.
Andy Farmer added 12 points for Colgan.
Carl Junction, 1-6, received 19 points from Jacob Stevenson and 13 from Jansen Adams. Stevenson hit four treys.
Sports
Eagles win 25 matches by pin
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