Roundup: Delta's defense stifles Saxony Lutheran in road win

The Delta Bobcats boys basketball team defeated the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders 66-54 on Tuesday at Saxony Lutheran High School.

Delta, led by Bryce Cox with 19 points, used a balanced offense and tough defense to win on the road against a bigger school, both physically and in enrollment.

Isaiah Berry and Ryan Jeffries each scored in double figures for the Bobcats with 18 and 13, respectively. Owen Buchheit led the way for the Crusaders with 20.

The first half was all Delta with many points off Crusader turnovers, as the Bobcats got in the passing lanes and stole the ball.

On set offensive plays, the Crusaders could not keep up with the speed at which Delta was passing, allowing easy buckets.

Bobcats head coach Toby Heeb said his team played a better first half and did just enough in the second to win.

“We switched from a man to a 2-2-1 press somewhere in the first quarter, and it kind of helped us get out and get some easy buckets. It threw their offense off, I feel like a little bit,” Heeb said. “In the second half, we came out, we tried to do a couple things, but we were just a little flat, and then they made a big run on us. I thought we held our heads down for a minute but, eventually, we picked them back up and kept on playing.”

Saxony began the second half on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to four, but foul trouble for Buchheit forced him to stay on the bench for a long period. The Crusaders were not as efficient without him and Delta took advantage.

The Bobcats finished the third on a 7-0 run and cruised through the fourth with little to no drama.

Heeb said his team did a good job of staying the course and not laying down after the Saxony run.

“I think we showed some mental toughness. This happens to us a lot where a big run comes in, the game gets closer, or it's tied up,” Heeb said. “Normally, it doesn't end up going our way. Tonight, the boys showed mental toughness, they just stepped up and made plays.”

Delta next hosts Hayti at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, while Saxony Lutheran hosts St. Pius X at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Chaffee 48, Oran 45

CHAFFEE — The Chaffee boys basketball team matched last year's win total after defeating Oran 48-45 at home Tuesday.

The Red Devils led the Eagles 35-33 entering the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Nolan Fowler scored nine of his team-leading 15 points in the final period to carry Chaffee to victory.

Sophomore guard Dane McMullin scored nine of his 11 points in the second quarter to put Chaffee (9-5) ahead 24-18 at halftime.

The Eagles (6-8) were led by senior Kole Burger, who scored 15 points, including 7 of 10 from the free-throw line. Carson Kern added 13 points and Parker Bryant chipped in with nine points.

Oak Ridge 66, Crystal City 59

OAK RIDGE — The Oak Ridge girls basketball team continued its recent winning ways with a 66-59 home win over Crystal City on Tuesday.

Jayleigh Price led the Bluejays with 17 points, Reagan Howe added 16 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists, and Madyson Ruehling chipped in 13 points with 14 rebounds.

The Bluejays have won four of their last five games to return to .500 at 7-7 on the season.

St. Vincent 77, Meadow Heights 15

PERRYVILLE — The St. Vincent girls basketball team dominated Meadow Heights 77-15 at home Tuesday to improve to 13-2.

The Rubel twins of Brie (18) and Kate (12) combined to score 30 points for the Lady Indians. Rylee Robinson added 14 points and Allie Patrick chipped in 10 points for St Vincent, which had nine different players find the basket.

St. Vincent bounced back after falling to Life for Life over the weekend and will host Waterloo (Illinois) at noon Saturday.