Bell City falls in opener

The Bell City boys basketball team lost its season-opening contest, falling to Memphis (Tenn.) Central 72-38 on Friday afternoon in the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central.

The Cubs, who were runners-up in Class 1 last season, had problems against the Warriors' pressure defense and committed 23 turnovers.

Memphis Central also slowed 6-foot-10 center Will Bogan, who had only four points in the first half.

Bogan scored 10 points in the final quarter to finish with 16 points.

But, by the time the final period began, Bell City trailed 46-28.

The Cubs only had three players besides Bogan scratch the scorebook. Phillip Gross hit two 3-pointers and finished with nine points. Nick Niemczyk had seven points and six rebounds, while junior Austin Bush hit two 3-pointers for his six points.

Bogan finished with 10 rebounds -- six offensive -- and five blocked shots.

Reubin Clayton led Central with 23 points.

Bell City (0-1) will face Byhalia (Miss.) at 2 p.m. today to end the two-day shootout for the Cubs.

Memphis Central 72, Bell City 38

Memphis Cent. 12 18 16 16 -- 72

Bell City 7 13 8 10 -- 38

MEMPHIS CENTRAL (72) -- Reubin Clayton 23, Tra Payne 12, Tim Pete 11, Sam Hill 10, Alfred Davis 9, Travis Thompson 4, Joe Washington 2, Masco Harmon 1. FG 32, FT 5-11, F 13 (3-pointers: Clayton 1. Fouled out: none).

BELL CITY (38) -- Will Bogan 16, Phillip Gross 9, Nick Niemczyk 7, Austin Bush 6. FG 11, FT 4-9, F 16 (3-pointers: Gross 2, Bush 2. Fouled out: none).

East Carter County 71, Meadow Heights 61

Meadow Heights fell into a 23-point deficit with a rough second period that saw three of its starters get saddled with four fouls.

The Panthers (1-1) climbed all the way back within three points in the final period but missed on a shot tie, and East Carter County pulled away.

Tyler Wagner scored 25 points to lead Meadow Heights, which plays this afternoon against Winona at Van Buren.

East Carter 18 19 19 15 -- 71

Meadow Hts 15 7 24 15 -- 61

EAST CARTER COUNTY (71) -- Rymer 21, Hartgroves 21, Whitaker 12, Feller 6, Arndt 6, Miller 5. FG 25, FT 16-31, F 19 (3-pointers: Rymer 2, Hartgroves 2, Arndt 1.).

MEADOW HEIGHTS (61) -- Tyler Wagner 25, Derrick Wilfong 8, John Long 8, Sam Russell 8, Tom Mitchell 7, Derek Bess 3, Terry Haffner 2. FG 26, FT 7-12, F 25 (3-pointers: Wilfong 1, Mitchell 1).

OTHER EVENTS

• The Notre Dame junior varsity boys basketball team won the championship of the school's JV tournament on Friday. The Bulldogs beat Poplar Bluff in the final. Also, Jackson beat Charleston for third place, Sikeston beat Farmington for the consolation crown, and Blytheville (Ark.) beat Central for seventh place.