Scio youth basketball playoffs resume with Huskies, Hornets advancing

As the youth basketball playoffs resumed in Scio March 17, the opening of the evening’s two contests featured the third- and fourth-grade Huskies taking on Team Cavs. The second game of the evening had the Vikings facing the Hornets in the fifth- and sixth-grade division.

In the opener, a classic game of cat and mouse ensued. The contest went back and forth with only a 4-point advantage as the highest separation mark, and there were countless times when the game saw the two teams deadlocked. In deciding a winner, the final horn remained the only deciding factor.

With under a minute to go, the Huskies broke a 13-13 tie to claim the win by a score of 15-14. A successful foul shot became the game’s ultimate difference.

In the nightcap, the fifth- and sixth-grade Hornets opened the game against the Vikings with a barrage of shots from every direction and several different players. Early in the first quarter, the Hornets jumped out to an 8-0 lead. The lead would continue to grow with no immediate response from the Vikings.

When the Vikings finally got on the board, the Hornets had already achieved a double-digit lead. The second quarter saw no relief or response from the Vikings. The third quarter indicated a runaway win by the Hornets. However, the fourth and final period saw the Vikings make a late surge against their offensively gifted opponents.

Heading down the stretch in the final period, the Vikings pulled within 4 points of the Hornets at a score of 22-18. The Hornets stiffened the defense and allowed only two additional points to the Vikings, while adding a security bucket of their own. The game would end at a score of 24-20 favoring the Hornets.

“The third- and fourth-grade division Huskies got the win over the Cavs in a nail-biter,” said League President Steve Coffman. “The Huskies were led by Kolt Anderson with 9 points. Parker Phillipson, Jaykob Agostini and Owen Guthrie each added 2. The Cavs got 9 points from Layne Harris, Gavin Bocek chipped in 4 and Olivia Hall added a foul shot."

The Cavs season came to an end, and the Huskies move on to the semifinals in the loser bracket to play the No. 1 seed Tar Heels Wednesday night.

“In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the Hornets defeated the Vikings 24-20. The Hornets got a team effort in scoring, with Blake Barcroft leading them with 11. Spencer Miller had 4 points and Drezner Litzenberg 3. Ryker Woodward, Keagan Mallernee and Maddox Valesko all added 2 points. Kamden VanCuren poured in 19 points with Malea Kelly making a foul shot. The Vikings season ended, and the Hornets will move on to play the No. 3 seed Bulls Wednesday night,” said Coffman.

In other league information, the latest standings as of March 11 and prior to the playoffs in the third- and fourth-grade division were Tar Heels 6-0, Knights 4-1, Huskies 2-3, Cavs 1-5 and Vikings 1-5.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the regular-season standings then were Spartans 4-1, Vikings 4-2, Bulls 3-3, Hornets 2-3 and Warriors 1-5.

The top five scorers in the third- and fourth-grade division during tournaments revealed a three-way tie between Kolt Anderson, Layne Harris and Louis Thaxton, with the trio all holding 22 points. In third place is Javonni Walker with 18, and fifth place is Harper Dunlap with 14.

The top five scorers in the fifth- and sixth-grade division at this point of the tournaments were Paxton Smith 37, Vontae Robinson 36, Kamden Van Curen 21, Kayleigh Agostini 20 and Drezner 18.

In ending the regular season, the top five scorers in the third- and fourth-grade division are Harper Dunlap 52 and Louis Thaxton 52. Layne Harris scored 45, Karysa Bryany 36 and Kolt Anmderson 33.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, the regular-season scoring leaders are Vontae Robinson 103, Kamden VanCurewn 92, Paxton Smith 74, Blake Barcroft 61 and Kayleigh Agostini 40.

Player of the week March 11 in the third- and fourth-grade division was Damien Sturgeon. Sturgeon scored the deciding 2 points in the game against the Knights.

Player of the week in the fifth- and sixth-grade division was Logan Myher. Myher scored 8 points in the game against the Warriors.