A-J wins in first round at Eldorado

Brady Wright scored 19 points and added 9 rebounds to lead Anna-Jonesboro to a 59-34 win over Norris City-Omaha-Enfield in first-round action at the 47th annual Eldorado high school boys’ holiday basketball tournament Monday, Dec. 26.

Travis Smith, who had four 3-pointers, added 14 points and a rebound for the Wildcats.

Cody Garver had 10 points and 2 rebounds. Tyler Vaughn had 8 points and 4 rebounds. Jay Kemp had 6 points and 6 rebounds. Andrew Nixon had 2 points.

A-J was ahead 14-9 after one quarter and 31-18 at the half. The Wildcats led 41-27 after three periods.

The Wildcats were 17 of 32 in shot attempts from the floor, 7 of 14 from the 3-point range and 11 of 26 from the free throw line.

The Cardinals were 11 of 29 in shot attempts from the field, 3 of 7 from 3-point range and 3 of 7 from the charity stripe.

 The Wildcats, 5-5, and seeded No. 7, were scheduled to play No. 2 Meridian, 11-1, on Tuesday. The Bobcats posted a 66-35 win over West Frankfort in first-round action.

On Wednesday in the championship round, in the event of a loss, A-J was scheduled to play the winner between Herrin-Gallatin County at 1:30 p.m. or the loser of that game at 10 a.m.

Herrin advanced with a 77-20 win over Pope County and Gallatin County scored a 59-51 win over host Eldorado.

Also on Wednesday, the consolation championship is scheduled for 3 p.m.; 5th place game at 6 p.m.; 3rd place 7:30 p.m.; and the championship game is at 9 p.m.