Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – Three pointers are a Spring Garden basketball trademark, and there were plenty of them for the Panthers Tuesday night against Class 2A, Area 12 rival Gaston.

The Panther boys sank 16 treys, led by six from Ryley Kirk, in a 98-27 victory. The second-ranked Lady Panthers posted 11 3-pointers, with Ace Austin connecting on three of those, in a 72-12 thumping.

Kirk also contributed six rebounds, five steals, three assists and two blocks for the No. 8 Panthers (12-5). Weston Kirk collected 23 points (including three 3-pointers) with eight boards, five assists, three steals and a block. Chaz Pope posted 14 points (two 3-pointers), 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Luke Welsh managed 11 points, six boards, two steals, two blocks and an assist.

Andrew Floyd connected on three treys and had nine points. He also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out four assists and had a steal. Cam Welsh came away with eight points, four assists, three boards, two steals and two blocks. Cooper Austin canned a pair of 3-pointers and finished with eight points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists and a blocked shot.

In the girls game, Ace Austin accumulated 17 points, nine assists, five boards, four steals and three blocks. Lexie Adkison added 13 points, eight rebounds and a steal.

Sarah Kate McKay sank a pair of treys and had nine points, three rebounds and an assist. Neely Welsh contributed nine points, five boards, five steals and three assists. Maggie Jarrett finished with six points, four rebounds and a blocked shot.

Spring Garden hosts Sand Rock on Friday.