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Lions squeak past Panthers in home win
Boekhorst drops 24 points
SALTILLO- The Saltillo Lions hosted the North Hopkins Panthers Tuesday for one of their final non-district games of the season. The Lions entered the day with a bit of momentum, winning their past two games, defeating Savoy 81-28 and Dodd City 65-57.
The Lions found themselves having to play from behind, trailing 12-8 at the end of the first quarter. Saltillo was able to find some offense in the second frame, however, and held North Hopkins to just five points in the second quarter. The Lions entered the locker room leading 19-17.
The second half was much more explosive, with both teams posting high scoring third quarters. The Lions had 13 points in the frame, but trailed 33-32.
Saltillo’s offense turned things up another notch in the final frame, posting a game-high 17 points in the frame. North Hopkins posted 11 points of their own, but the Lions were able to walk away with the 49-44 win.
Saltillo’s Chris Boekhorst had the hot hand, finishing with a game-high 24 points. He was the only Lion to finish in double-digits. The next leading scorer for Saltillo was Andrew Redburn with six points. Other scorers for Saltillo were David Whitworth who had five points, Gunner Tarver and Coy Collins, who each had four points, and Colton McGill and Colby McCoy who each had three points.
The win improves Saltillo’s record to 6-7 on the season.
The junior varsity also played, and the Lions leaped out to a quick 18-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Things were very tightly contested the rest of the day, with North Hopkins outscoring the Lions by two points in the final three quarters. Saltillo was able to hold on to the win, however, taking it by a final score of 43-38.
Ethan White and Justice Burke were the leading scorers for the Lions junior varsity. White finished with 14 points while Burke trailed him with 10 points. Luke Ritter had a strong game as well, ousting 9 points in the 5-point win.
Other scores for Saltillo were Christian Trejo with four points, and Jacob Sexton and Landon Gilbreath who each had two points. Saltillo plays again Saturday on the road against Hooks. The junior varsity girls will begin at 12 p.m. with the varsity girls and varsity boys to follow.