A-J opens boys' basketball season by defeating Goreville

Tylor Duckworth scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Anna-Jonesboro to a 57-47 win over Goreville in first-round action of the Harrisburg Invitational in high school boys’ basketball Monday, Nov. 29.

Brady Wright added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats. Cody Livesay had 13 points and a rebound. Alex LeFevre had 4 points. Travis Smith added 4 points and 2 rebounds.Dalton Baker had 3 points and 3 rebounds.

A-J pulled ahead 10-9 after one quarter and 23-20 at the half. The Wildcats went on a 20-6 run in the third quarter to build a 43-26 lead going into the final period.

“We really played well in the third quarter,” A-J coach Mike Chamness said.

Goreville fought back to outscore the Wildcats 21-14 in the final quarter.

“We couldn’t put the dagger in their heart,” Chamness said. “But it’s always good to get that first win. We did some things right for the first game and we did some things wrong.”

The Wildcats were 17 of 32 from the floor, 3 of 8 from 3-point  range and 14 of 20 from the free throw line.

The Blackcats were 13 of 22 from the floor, 5 of 13 from 3-point range and 6 of 9 from  the free throw line.

A-J, 1-0, was to have played Hamilton County on Wednesday. The Wildcats continue tournament play against Harrisburg at 7:30 p.m. Friday and close out tournament play Saturday at noon against Carmi-White County.