Scio youth basketball league tips off Feb. 14 with unbeaten Tar Heels

While adults were making evening preparations for Valentine’s Day outings, the Youth Basketball League in Scio drew early-morning attention Feb. 14. The schedule featured plenty of action, beginning at 9 a.m.

In the third- and fourth-grade division, the Tar Heels stayed unbeaten with a 20-10 win over the Cavs. Harper Dunlap scored 8 points to lead the Tar Heels, while Karysa Bryant and Mailinn Davia had 6 apiece. The Cavs were led by Layne Harris with 6 points and Gavin Bocek with 3. Olivia Hall scored her first point of the season on a free throw.

The 10 a.m. game saw the Knights return to the win column with a 20-10 victory over the Huskies. Louis Thaxton scored 13 points for the Knights. Syncier Gray had 4 points, Damion Sturgeon scored 2 and Nolan Hawthorne added a free throw. The Huskies’ scoring came from Kolt Anderson with 6 points and Parker Phillipson with 4.

The Vikings had a bye.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the Vikings defeated the Warriors 20-5. Kam VanCuren scored 12 points for the Vikings, and TyShaun Sturgeon had 8. Jace Bumgardner scored all 5 points for the Warriors.

The game of the day featured the Hornets outlasting the Spartans 30-25 in overtime, handing the Spartans their first loss. Blake Barcroft hit a 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds left to force overtime. Barcroft finished with a game-high 25 points, including 5 3-pointers. Spencer Miller scored 3 points and Drezner Litzenberg had 2. Vontae Robinson led the Spartans with 13 points, Grayson Madzia added 9 and Kayleigh Agostini scored 3.

The Bulls had a bye.

Standings

Following Week 4 play in the third- and fourth-grade division: Tar Heels 4-0, Knights 2-1, Huskies 1-2, Cavs 1-2 and Vikings 0-3.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division: Vikings 3-1, Hornets 2-1 and Spartans 2-1.

Top scorers

The top 5 scorers in the fifth- and sixth-grade division are Vontae Robinson with 49, Kamden VanCuren with 412, Paxton Smith with 33, Brayden Kelley with 22 and Blake Barcroft with 18.

Players of the week

Karysa Bryant was Player of the Week in the third- and fourth-grade division. Bryant helped the Tar Heels remain unbeaten by scoring 10 points in their last outing.

Kamden VanCuren of the Vikings was Player of the Week for Week 3 in the fifth- and sixth-grade division. VanCuren’s steals, along with 11 points of the team’s 17, helped lift the Vikings to a comeback win.

“Week 4 now sees the youth league in full swing, and it’s a great time to thank our team sponsors,” league President Steve Coffman said. “They are Coffman Lawn Care, Son Set Storage, Big John Coutts Memorial, Jewett Museum, Cory Phillips Family, Scio American Legion, Brightside, JB3 Properties, Connor Baxter Family, Tommy McAfee Family, Koch Funeral Home, Kaci Edwards Family, Unified Bank, Cadiz Pharmacy, Friend Veterinary Services and the HC Youth Softball League.”

“Without these generous businesses, families and leagues making their donations, the league wouldn’t be where it is today,” Coffman said. “I am looking forward to these final five weeks to see how much better each kid gets. Harper Dunlap and Blake Barcroft were the Week 4 players of the week in their divisions,” he said.