From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
The Joplin High School boys basketball team improved to 4-1 by beating McDonald County 85-56 at Anderson on Monday night in a nonconference game.
The Eagles, who led 35-14 after the first period and 57-26 at the half, were sparked by Matt McCreary and Derek Stokes in the first half with 29 and 15 points, respectively.
McCreary, a 6-4 senior, finished with seven 3s among 31 points and Stokes, a 6-3 senior, added three treys in scoring 19.
Devin St. Clair gave the Eagles a third scorer in double figures with 11. St. Clair tossed in three of the Eagles’ 14 treys.
McDonald County (1-5) received 10 points apiece from Michael Bridenstine, Zach Lawson and Sy Morris.
McDonald County visits Webb City today with the Cardinals entertaining Joplin on Friday.
Exeter boys, 86-62
EXETER, Mo. — The Tigers used a big opening period and a big third in beating McAuley Catholic in an Ozark 7 Conference game.
Exeter (2-1), which led 40-25 at the half after a 28-point opening salvo, outscored the Warriors 26-16 in the third.
Said Exeter coach Scott White: “We played OK overall.
“Our first string defense was pretty good. We were able to accomplish some things against a man-to-man defense.”
Zach Wuber, a 6-0 senior, scored 14 of his 27 points in the first period for the Tigers.
Justin Brattin, a 6-foor-3 senior, and 6-2 senior Brock Sorensen added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Tigers.
McAuley was led in scoring by Garrett Wagner, a 5-11 senior guard, with 21. Nick Bertoncino, 6-2 senior, tallied 11.
Exeter resumes with a nonconference game on Thursday night at Hurley.
The Warriors call on Pierce City for a nonconference contest on Friday night.
