Kelly wins in first round at Twin Rivers

Dana Essner scored 15 points to lead Kelly to a 54-35 first-round victory over Malden in the Lady Royals Classic girls basketball tournament at Twin Rivers on Saturday.

Kelly Essner added 12 points for Kelly (4-3).

Kelly led 15-13 after one quarter and 24-17 at the half. The Hawks extended the advantage to 40-26 by the close of the third quarter.

The Hawks will face Sikeston at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

JV BOYS BASKETBALL

Saxony Lutheran 48, St. Vincent 40

Saxony Lutheran improved to 7-3 in its inagural high-school basketball season with an eight-point win over St. Vincent's freshman team.

John Volkerding led Saxony with 16 points. Waylon Richardet led St. Vincent with 16 points.

-- From staff reports