Utilizing a tough defense and never-give-up attitude the Ava Bears held off Gainesville last Saturday night to win the Mansfield Tournament.
It was the second straight year that the Bears have defeated Gainesville for the tournament title.
Ava won the low-scoring battle, 36-33, to advance to 3-1 on the year.
Zach Leonard led the Bears with 12 points. Others scoring for the Bears were Austin Gastineau 8, Kevin Philpott 5, Ben Loge 5, Kody Kutz 3 and Chase Dixon 3.
Zach Voss led Coach Aaron Dalton’s Bulldogs with 12 points.
The Bears made their home debut Tuesday night vs. Hartville in non-conference play and lost another high-energy, low scoring battle, 49-46.
Loge, Gastineau and Leonard each scored 12 points for the Bears which led 28-26 at the half.
Leonard led the Bears with seven rebounds and Philpott had six points and six rebounds.
Kody Kutz and Cooper Emerich had two points apiece for the Bears.
Hartville converted 11-of-19 free throws on the night while Ava scored on 3-of-6 at the line.
Seth Hensley led the Eagles with 13 points.
The Bears will be at home Friday night against Rogersville and will travel to West Plains next Tuesday night for freshman/ JV/varsity action beginning at 5 o’clock.
Ava’s next action will be on Dec. 26 in the Blue & Gold Tournament in Springfield.
