Wildcats win three games at Classic

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School boys’ basketball team finished 3-2 at the Mid-Winter Classic in West Frankfort to claim third place Saturday, Jan. 21.

A-J 51, Johnston City 44: After trailing at halftime, the Wildcats bounced back to claim the win Saturday, Jan. 21.

The Indians led 11-9 after one quarter and 24-13 at halftime. The Wildcats made a 21-6 third quarter run to pull ahead 34-30 heading into the final period.

Travis Smith scored 17 points and had 3 rebounds to lead the Wildcats.

Brady Wright added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Noah Fuller had 11 points and a rebound, Jarid Vernonesi had 4 points and a rebound, Jay Kemp had 2 points and 6 rebounds and Cody Garver had 2 points. Tyler Vaughn also contributed with 2 rebounds.

The Wildcats shot 46 percent (19-41) from the field. They shot 6 of 14 from 3-point range, 13 of 27 from 2-point range and 7 of 13 from the free throw line.

The Indians shot 41 percent (16-39) from the field. They were 4 of 13 from 3-point range, 12 of 26 from 2-point range and 8 of 10 from the free throw line.

A-J 54, West Frankfort 29: The Wildcats took charge in the second quarter of their first game Saturday, Jan. 21.

A-J trailed 13-11 after the first quarter but went on a 22-4 run in the second quarter to take a 33-17 halftime lead. The Wildcats led 47-23 after three periods.

Wright had 13 points and 8 rebounds to lead A-J. Veronesi added 12 points and 5 rebounds, Smith had 10 points and 3 rebounds, Kemp 6 points and 7 rebounds, Vaughn 5 points and 7 rebounds and Garver added 2 points.

The Wildcats shot 49 percent (22-45) from the field. They were 6 of 13 from 3-point range, 16 of 32 from 2-point range and 4 of 4 from the free throw line.

The Redbirds shot 32 percent (12-37) from the field. They were 1 of 6 from 3-point range, 11 of 31 from 2-point range and 4 of 8 from the free throw line.

“We played pretty well on Saturday,” A-J coach Mike Chamness said. “We’d have like to got one more win, but we didn’t. Jarid Veronesi is a senior and he stepped up in both games and played really well.”

A-J 63, Eldorado 62: Smith scored 22 points and had 2 rebounds to lead A-J to the win Friday, Jan. 20.

Smith added 22 points and 2 rebounds, Vaughn scored 10 points, Fuller had l6 points and a rebound, Kemp 2 points and 7 rebounds and Veronesi 2 points and 2 rebounds.

The Wildcats shot 45 percent (19-42) from the field. They were 4 of 11 from 3-point range, 15 of 31 from 2-point range and 21 of 30 from the free throw line.

The Eagles shot 44 percent (25-57) from the field. They were 5 of 13 from 3-point range, 20 of 44 from 2-point range and 7 of 14 from the free throw line.

Carterville 38, A-J 34 The Wildcats were defeated by the Lions in the Classic Wednesday, Jan. 18. It was the second time this season the Wildcats were defeated by the Lions by four points.

Carterville led 8-7 after one quarter and 17-16 at halftime. The Lions led 27-23 after three quarters.

Wright had 11 points and 5 rebounds to lead A-J. Smith added 10 points and 6 rebounds, Kemp 4 points and 4 rebounds, Veronesi and Fuller each had 4 points and a rebound and Vaughn had a point and 2 rebounds.

The Wildcats shot 47 percent (14-30) from the field. They were 3 of 9 from 3-point range, 11 of 21 from 2-point range and 3 of 5 from the free throw line.

The Lions shot 39 percent (16-41) from the field. They were 2 of 8 from 3-point range, 14 of 33 from 2-point range and 4 of 8 from the free throw line.

A-J lost to Herrin 56-39 in their first tournament game Jan. 16.

A-J, 11-10, is scheduled to play Friday at Du Quoin and Saturday at home against West Frankfort.


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