Mustangs hang on to defeat Gifford, Schlarman Academy
By Fred Kroner
After building a 17-9 first-quarter lead, the Prairieview Ogden eighth-grade boys’ basketball team hung on to defeat Gifford, 43-41, at home on Tuesday (Dec. 13).
Kaden Wedig tossed in a team-high 16 points and was seconded by Jon Couture’s 12 points.
Lane McKinney contributed a season-high (for the eighth-grade team) nine points. Aiden Hundley and Garrett Loschen each added three points.
PVO carried a 34-32 lead into the final quarter.
On Thursday (Dec. 15), the Mustangs came out on the short end of a close game, losing a 39-37 decision at Westville in a game they led at halftime, 16-15.
Wedig meshed 19 points. Couture added 13 points and Dalton York finished with three points. Loschen scored two points.
On Monday (Dec. 19), PVO rebounded from its loss the previous week to dispatch visiting Schlarman Academy, 29-26.
Couture amassed 15 points. Wedig totaled six points. York netted four points, all from the free throw line.
PVO (12-4) jumped into an 8-4 lead after one quarter and also held a four-point lead at halftime.
The PVO seventh-graders continued their winning ways, posting a 31-24 victory over Gifford.
McKinney led the way with 18 points. Lucas Waters contributed six points and Jameson Ehler had five points. George Hale scored two points.
On Thursday (Dec. 15), PVO lost a 26-16 halftime lead at Westville and had an 11-game winning streak come to an end in a 46-40 setback.
McKinney totaled 20 points. Waters netted nine points and Ehler swished seven points.
On Monday (Dec. 19), the Mustang seventh-graders rallied to beat Schlarman at home, 27-19.
Schlarman held an 11-6 lead at halftime.
Waters sparked PVO with eight points. McKinney and Airin Rash each totaled six points.
Rash (six points) and McKinney (four points) were the fourth-quarter catalysts as PVO outscored the Hilltoppers, 14-6.
The seventh-graders have a 14-2 overall record. The Mustangs return to action on Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023) at home against Villa Grove.
