The Ava Middle School Bears hosted the Hollister Tigers on Monday, November 29.
The seventh grade Bears were defeated by the visiting Hollister squad by a one-point margin, 32-31.
Hollister made a three point basket with 9 seconds remaining in the game to take the one point lead and Ava’s final shot fell just off the mark to end the contest.
Morgan Smith led the scoring for Ava with 9 points, followed by Austin Potts and Caleb McFarlin with 5 points each. Nate Bray and Zach Hunsaker scored 4 points each; Chance Dobbs and Dakota Pierce added 2 points each to complete the scoring for the Bears.
The Bears won the eighth grade contest by a score of 33-29.
The game remained close throughout the night, as the Bears held a one point advantage after both the second and third quarter of play.
Fifteen points from Tristan Haltom and 10 points from Derrick Bushong led the scoring for the Bears. The remainder of the scoring included 4 points from Colton Akers as well as 2 points each from Cody Huff and John Luebbering.
The following night the Bears played the Houston Tigers at Houston.
The Houston squad won the seventh grade game 41-17.
Ava’s leading scorer was Caleb McFarlin with 7 points. The remainder of the scoring included: Austin Potts 4, Nate Bray 2, Morgan Smith 2, and Zach Hunsaker 2.
Houston also won the eighth grade game, defeating the Bears 47-28. Houston led 27-16 at halftime.
Tristan Haltom led Ava’s scoring with 11 points. Cody Huff scored 4 points; John Luebbering, Colton Akers, and Derrick Bushong scored 3 points each. Two points each from Joe Herrell and Shannon Porter rounded out the scoring for the Bears.
Ava’s final games before the Christmas break will be on the road next week.
The Bears travel to Willow Springs on Monday, December 13 and then travel to West Plains on Thursday, December 16.
Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on both nights.
