By Staff

            MCPHERSON – Opening the season with a pair of road games can be tough, but the McPherson Middle School 7th grade boys basketball teams did just fine getting a road win on Thursday at Derby after losing the season opener at Salina Lakewood.

            For the 7th grade ‘A’ team Junior Pups, they opened the season with a four-point, heartbreaking 29-25 loss to Salina Lakewood.

            Only three Junior Pups scored in the game as Tripp Pelzel led the team with 13 points and Tre Winburn scored 10.

            “You could tell this was our first game,” explained 7th grade Junior Pup head coach Jay Crawford. “We came out pretty tight on offense, but our defense kept us in the game. We will get back to practice and work on things on the offensive side of the game.”

            The 7th grade ‘B’ team also lost a close game, losing by six, 34-28 to Salina Lakewood.

            Six Junior Pups put points on the scoreboard led by Gavin Heider and Brody Milleson who each scored seven.

            “Our B-team played well,” noted coach Crawford. “They competed well and made some good plays for each other. They had six guys score and that was great to see. They have several areas to work on as well.”

7th Grade ‘A’ Team (0-1) Scoring > Tripp Pelzel – 13; Tre Winburn – 10; Jensen Razak – 2.

7th Grade ‘B’ Team (0-1) Scoring > Gavin Heider – 7; Brody Milleson – 7; Isaac Nelson – 4; Colt Chapman – 4; Lawson Ediger – 3; Logan Starts – 3.

            On Thursday at Derby, the 7th grade Junior Pups erupted for 51 points in gaining a 34-pont, 51-17 hammering of Derby.

            Tripp Pelzel led the team in scoring by netting 24 points while Tre Winburn also reached double digits with 16.

            ‘Our ‘A’ team players played really well and showed great improvement from the season opener,” said coach Crawford. “We were able to generate several turnovers that lead to us scoring. The effort we played with was what we have talked to them about from our very first practice. I am very proud how we competed and to do so with toughness and passion. Our defense made it very hard for Derby to score and we want to continue to build on that.”

            At Derby, the 7th grade Junior Pup ‘B’ team also scored a win, earning a 14-point, 31-17 victory.

            Eight Junior Pups scored in the ‘B’ game led by Logan Starks with nine and Gavin Heider with five.

            “A great game by this group,” exclaimed coach Crawford. “So happy to see their improvement. Really proud of their effort as we had eight players score and that showed how much they have improved. It was great to see them take shots and make some big ones. Derby made a little run, but our guys really made some good tough plays to put distance between us and them.”

7th Grade ‘A’ Team (1-1) Scoring > Tripp Pelzel – 24; Tre Winburn – 16; Drake Timson – 5; Carter Melton – 4; Jaxon Hoover – 4.

7th Grade ‘B’ Team (1-1) Scoring > Logan Starks – 9; Gavin Heider – 5; Kepple Butcher – 4; Cooper Bohme – 4; Blake Harrington – 3; Brody Milleson – 2; Colt Chapman – 2; Holton Hamblin – 2.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)