Yellow Jackets ride quartet to overtime win over Utica

The Mount Vernon boys’ basketball needed everything it had Feb. 17.

The Yellow Jackets got huge games from four players to grab an 86-78 overtime victory over the visiting Utica Redskins.

Trenton Wells poured in 29 points, while handing out five assists and recording four steals to lead the Jackets. Trace Beck added 21 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while Justus Shaw had 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Landon Dawson checked in with 15 points and three rebounds.

Mount Vernon’s valiant comeback came up a bit short in a loss to Licking Heights on Feb. 13.

The Yellow Jackets trailed 46-25 early in the second half, rallying to close the gap to 55-51 with about a minute left in the game. But the Hornets were able to hold on for a 64-53 victory.

Wells led the Jackets with 21 points and six assists. Beck added 15 points and four assists, while Dawson had eight points.

Fredericktown boys’ basketball

Fredericktown’s undefeated season looked to be in jeopardy early on Feb. 12, as Buckeye Valley jumped on the Freddies early. But, the Freddies turned up the defensive pressure and came back to beat the Barons, 67-56.

BV led 13-7 after one quarter, but only scored six points in the second, thanks to the Freddie defense. FHS took the lead late in the half, then jumped on the Barons early in the third and went on to the victory.

Gavin Toombs led the Freddies with 16 points and five rebounds. Carson Rinehart added 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Zane Luckmeier had 13 points and eight rebounds. Blake Sipes checked in with 11 points.

East Knox girls’ basketball

East Knox jumped out to an early lead, then held on for a 36-35 victory over Mansfield Christian on Feb. 10.

The Bulldogs led 15-4 after one quarter, but the Flames kept clawing their way back.

Ava Faucett led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Isabella Bostic added eight points, while Cloe Tucker had seven and Malena Streby had five.

The Bulldogs cruised to a 47-26 victory over Hillsdale on Feb. 7.

Faucett led EK with 19 points, while Bostic had 14 and Streby added eight.