Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – The Spring Garden Panthers forced a coin toss for the second seed in the upcoming Class 2A, Area 12 boys basketball tournament Tuesday evening by defeating Westbrook Christian 59-55 at Dale Welsh Gymnasium.

Cooper Austin led the ninth-ranked Panthers (15-5, 3-3) with 22 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also had four steals and an assist.

Chaz Pope posted 13 points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block. Weston Kirk collected 12 points, including three treys, with six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Ryley Kirk also connected on three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points, six boards and an assist.

Spring Garden led at each of the quarter breaks. The Panthers held an 18-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter and a 32-24 edge at halftime. Spring Garden maintained a 43-38 lead at the end of three quarters.

The Panthers open the Cherokee County Tournament on Friday against host Cherokee County at 5:30 p.m.

Girls

Spring Garden 87, Westbrook Christian 38

SPRING GARDEN – Ace Austin posted a triple-double Tuesday evening against Class 2A, Area 12 opponent Westbrook Christian on Tuesday evening. She scored 16 points (including a pair of 3-pointers), dished out 10 assists, swiped 10 steals, blocked five shots and had four rebounds in leading the second-ranked Lady Panthers to an 87-38 girls basketball victory.

Neely Welsh and Maggie Jarrett both delivered 15 points for the Lady Panthers (20-2, 6-0). Welsh also had four steals, three rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. Jarrett also contributed five boards, three blocks, two assists and two steals.

Lexie Adkison added 11 points, five rebounds and a steal. Abbie Woods connected on three treys and had 10 points. Sarah Kate McKay managed seven points, four boards, two steals, an assist and a block. Abbey Steward finished with five points, three rebounds, three steals and an assist.

Spring Garden jumped out to a 34-6 first-quarter advantage and didn’t look back. The Lady Panthers led 58-11 at halftime.

Spring Garden awaits the winner of Thursday’s Cedar Bluff-Gaylesville game in the Cherokee County Tournament on Friday at 4 p.m.