Kelly remains undefeated; East Prairie suffers first loss

BENTON, Mo. — Kelly remained unblemished, downing Meadow Heights 86-54 on Friday, Dec. 8.

The Hawks reach familiar territory, achieving a perfect 5-0 start for the second time in the past three seasons.

“Once again, we had balanced scoring with four starters in double digits,” said Kelly coach Noel Trimmer. “Defense picked it up in the after halftime and we pulled away early in the fourth quarter.”

Ross Peters led the scoring charge with 25 points, while Dalton Forck (20) and Reece Eftink (17) controlled the paint.

Michael Dollins orchestrated the offense, finishing with 14 points and 11 assists.

“[Dollins] played extremely well, and was very unselfish,” Trimmer said. “He really got us going. Peters had a big night and our two bigs just keep putting up numbers inside.”

The Panthers (2-2) top performers were Ransom Grindstaff and Braeden Hays with 16 and 11, respectively.

Kelly is on the road at Scott City while Meadow Heights hosts Delta (0-2) on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

__EAGLES FALL SHORT TO INDIANS__

East Prairie tasted defeat for the first time this season, falling in a close contest 68-67 on Friday, Dec. 8.

A strong first-half performance wasn't enough for the Eagles (4-1), who led by a dozen at halftime, as the Indians ( 2-1) capitalized on crucial turnovers and foul trouble in the second half to secure the win.

Hayti's Jordan Payne and Antonio Jones came alive in the fourth quarter, combining for 16 points to erase a nine-point deficit and steal the victory. Payne finished with 17 and Jones added 13, leading the comeback charge.

East Prairie was led by Connor Marcum (17), Noah Johnson (15) and Ty Wallace (12).

East Prairie hosts Oran (2-3), while Hayti is also at home, against Twin Rivers (3-3) on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

__KELLY 86, MEADOW HEIGHTS 54__

Meadow Heights 14 12 18 10 — 54

Kelly 15 26 20 25 — 86

Meadow Heights (54) — Ransom Grindstaff 16, Braeden Hays 11, Damion Hulbert 9, Bode Conrad 6, Kaden Cook 5, Maison Whitener 3, Jayden Burr 2, Aiden Mayfield 1, Johnnie Palmer 1. FG: 20. FT: 9-17. F: 14. (3-pointers: Grindstaff 2, Hays 2, Cook 1. Fouled out: none).

Kelly (86) — Ross Peters 25, Dalton Forck 20, Reece Eftink 17, Michael Dollins 14, Gavin Dugan 4, Skyler Still 4, Brandon Herrion 2. FG: 38. FT: 5-13. F: 20. (3-pointers: Peters 2, Dollins 2. Fouled out: none).

__HAYTI 68, EAST PRAIRIE 67__

Hayti 20 9 16 23 — 68

East Prairie 18 23 13 13 — 67

Hayti (68) — Jordan Payne 17, Isaiah Love 17, Antonio Jones 13, Dwayne Grant 10, Jahiem Dunn 6, Ja’Mauri Alexander 5. FG: 23. FT: 13-30. F: 28. (3-pointers: Grant 3, Payne 2, Jones 2, Love 1, Alexander 1, Dunn 1. Fouled out: none).

East Prairie (67) — Connor Marcum 17, Noah Johnson 15, Ty Wallace 12, Kamron Farmer 9, Evan Kenedy 6, Tavion Ware 3, Rayne Jerrigan 3, Tripp Shoemaker 2. FG: 24. FT: 17-31. F: 25. (3-pointers: Marcum 2. Fouled out: Marcum, Kenedy).