Ava seniors Pete Leonard and Brock Mitchell combined for 49 points here last Friday night – the equivalent of Houston’s total – as the Bears defeated the Tigers 97-49 in SCA action.
Mitchell sank four baskets from 3-point land and finished with 23 points on the night, scoring 20 points in the first half. Leonard had 26 points to lead all scorers.
Austin Clayton added 12 points and Trae Shelton had 11, as four Ava players scored in double digits.
Austin Gastineau had 8 points, Kody Kutz 7, Zach Leonard 6, Austin Casey 3 and Ben Loge 2, as nine different players scored for Coach Cole Dishman.
The Bears held a 60-33 advantage at halftime.
Tuesday night was Senior Night for the Bears as they took the home floor for the final time this year against Forsyth.
Senior players Pete Leonard, Mitchell, Shelton and Clayton were recognized before the varsity game.
Also honored at Senior Night were cheerleaders and dance team members.
The Bears had little trouble with Forsyth, leading the Panthers 46-21 at halftime and going on to a 74-42 non-conference win.
The Bears finished the regular season with a record on 19-7 heading into district play.
Pete Leonard was once again Ava’s leading scorer with 18 points. But everyone saw court time and 10 different players scored for the Bears.
Shelton had a dozen points for the Bears, Clayton added 11 and Mitchell had 10. Others adding to the tally were Zach Leonard 9, Caleb Miles 4, Austin Casey 2, Austin Gastineau 2, Ben Loge 2, and Kevin Philpott 2.
Coach Dishman said it’s hard to find the right balance in a game like the Bears had Tuesday night. A coach wants to let his seniors play in their final home game, yet there’s always that risk of someone getting hurt unnecessarily just before districts.
The Bears are seeded third in their district and will play Mtn. Grove in first round action next Tuesday, March 1, at 7:30, at Cabool.
