Knights, Vikings earn wins in Harrison Central Biddy League play

The third- and fourth-grade Knights and Cavs opened the Feb. 28 schedule of the Harrison Central Biddy Basketball League. With playoffs set to begin in two weeks, action is heating up in both divisions.

In the third- and fourth-grade division, the Knights defeated the Cavs 22-13. Louis Thaxton led the Knights with 9 points, followed by Damion Sturgeon with 7. Liam Patton, Syncier Gray and Nolan Hawthorne each added 2 points. The Cavs were led by Layne Harris with 11 points, while Jackson Bear and Gavin Bocek each made a free throw.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the Vikings edged the Bulls 26-23 in what organizers called the game of the day. Kam VanCuren scored 13 points for the Vikings, TyShaun Sturgeon added 6, Josiah Rocknich had 3, and Mack Brannon and Malea Kelley each scored 2. Paxton Smith led the Bulls with 12 points. Liam Harris and Carter Helms each scored 4, and Brayden Kelley added 3.

In the second game, the Warriors defeated the Hornets 20-13 to secure their first win of the season. Jace Bumgardner and Logan Myher each scored 6 points, Xavier Freeman added 4, and Joel Phillipson and Zaydea Zorne each had 2.

After six weeks of play, the third- and fourth-grade standings are: Tar Heels, 5-0; Knights, 4-1; Huskies, 2-2; Cavs, 1-4; and Vikings, 0-5.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the standings are: Vikings, 4-1; Spartans, 3-1; Bulls, 2-3; Hornets, 2-3; and Warriors, 1-4.

Prior to this week, the top five scorers in the third- and fourth-grade division were Thaxton with 43 points, Harper Dunlap with 38, Harris with 34, Karysa Bryant with 26, and Kolt Anderson with 23.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the top five scorers entering Saturday were Vontae Robinson with 77 points, Camden VanCuren with 53, Blake Barcroft with 52, Smith with 51, and Brayden Kelley with 28.

Last week’s third- and fourth-grade player of the week was Parker Phillipson, who scored a career-high 10 points in the Huskies’ 23-9 win. In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, Smith earned player of the week honors after scoring 18 points.

“The upcoming week will be the last week of the regular season,” league President Steve Coffman said. “A double-elimination tournament will start March 10 and end March 21.”

Coffman said the Tar Heels have secured the No. 1 seed in the third- and fourth-grade division and will receive a bye. They will face the winner of the Knights-Huskies matchup. The Cavs and Vikings will also meet in tournament play.

“The fifth- and sixth-grade division seeding is still up in the air, with the Vikings and Spartans playing this week for the No. 1 seed,” Coffman said. He added that the week will also conclude the season for the prekindergarten through second-grade division.

“I would like to once again take this time to thank all of our volunteer coaches for their dedication to our youth,” Coffman said.