The Ava Bears defeated Mtn. Grove 67-38 last Tuesday night in Wright County, but lost to Willow Springs 75-65 in SCA play on Friday.
On Monday night, the Bears hosted Cabool in an SCA make-up game that was snowed out on Feb. 1, and took a big conference win, 85-53. On Tuesday night the Bears traveled to Thayer for another SCA win.
Led by 24 points from Pete Leonard, the Bears held a 44-18 lead at the half.
Others scoring for Ava were Austin Clayton 10, Trae Shelton 9, Zach Leonard 9, Brock Mitchell 6, Kevin Philpott 5, and Austin Gastineau 4.
Willow Springs had five players in double digits on their home court last Friday night, led by Clint Harper’s 17 and Cole Johnson’s 14 points.
Ava’s Pete Leonard led all scorers with 25 markers.
Shelton canned three baskets from 3-point range and came away with 16 points on the night.
Others scoring for Ava were Gastineau, Mitchell and Clayton with 7 points each, and Zach Leonard with 3 points.
Willow Springs made twice as many free throws as Ava shot in the contest. Willow was 23-for-26 at the line while Ava made 12-of-14.
Playing on the home floor Monday night, the Bears cruised to an 85-53 win over Cabool.
Shelton netted three 3-point baskets, all in the first half, and finished with 12 points on the night.
Pete Leonard had 28 points and Brock Mitchell added 19.
Gastineau and Clayton had 9 points apiece, Austin Casey had 4, and Philpott and Zach Leonard had 2 points apiece for Ava.
Preston Eagleman had 17 points for Cabool.
Ava led Cabool 44-17 at halftime.
At halftime of the Cabool game Monday, a special recognition ceremony was held. Pete Leonard was recognized for securing the career scoring, surpassing a mark of 1,411 points held by David Norman for 51 years.
Bears vs. Cabool
Trae Shelton was also recognized for overtaking Brad Pellham’s 3-point shot record. Pellham, who attended Ava High School from 1986 to 1989, made 122 3-point shots in his career. Shelton passed that mark at Willow Springs on Friday night and had 126 career 3-pointers at halftime Monday.
On Tuesday night the Bears made the long trip to Thayer and came away with a 65-60 SCA win.
Pete Leonard continued his scoring onslaught with 32 points and Shelton added 14. Mitchell had 9 points, Gastineau 8 and Zach Leonard 2.
Coach Cole Dishman said the Bears had a hard time getting started Tuesday night. After trailing 37-28 at halftime, the Bears outscored the Bobcats 21-5 in the third period for the difference in the game.
Aaron Henry had 18 points for Thayer which made 18 of 22 free throws in the contest. Ava connected on 6 of 12 for a moderate 50 percent.
The Bears are 17-7 overall and 4-2 in the SCA. Ava will host Houston Friday night for Hoopcoming and will be at home again next Tuesday night against Forsyth for Senior Night.
District Tournament play will begin the following week. The seeding meeting will be held Friday, Coach Dishman said.
