Coach Jimmy Goebel and his NCOE Junior Cardinal Basketball team traveled to Ina Saturday afternoon to take part in the annual Rend Lake Classic Tip Off Tournament. The Junior Cardinals who were already off to a 2-0 start were set to take on the Cobden Appleknockers.
First quarter action started out much stronger than it has thus far for the Junior Cardinals as Money, Riggs, Richardson, and Melton combined for 23 points to elevate their team to the early 23-6 lead. The offense slowed down during the second stanza, but NCOE did manage to outscore their opponent by six point to take a commanding 36-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Second half action was not as explosive for the Jr.Cards on the offensive end for they were only able to muster 21 total points. However, this is all the Appleknockers would be able to collect keeping the contest at 23 point differential (57-34) when the final buzzer sounded.
Ty Money led the scoring for the Jr. Cards with 15. Others scoring were Joe Melton 12, CJ Richardson 10, Jack Riggs nine, Nathaniel Wilson seven, Jacob Richerson two, and Bryce Rider two. Money was also the teams assist leader with five. Wilson dished out two along with one by Riggs.
Joe Melton grabbed nine offensive boards in the game to top all players. Others with rebounds were CJ Richardson seven, Lucas Browning five, Jacob Richerson five, Gabe Largent three, Jack Riggs two, Ty Money two, Nathaniel Wilson one, and Braden Mitchell one. The speedy duo of Money and Richerson collected five steal each while Richardson and Riggs added two each, and one a piece for Wilson, Browning, and Rider.
The Jr. Cards (3-0) will be taking part in the Gallatin County Tournament October 31-November 4.
