The Booneville Junior High Bearcats scored the first nine points of the game Monday night, led by 12 after one quarter and led by no less than five the rest of the night on the way to a 30-23 win over Mena.
Dakota Fonseca started the early run that also saw points from Reed Brackney, Tayden Washburn, and Nick Widener before Mena got on the scoreboard.
After the visiting Bearcats scored the next four points, the Bearcats ran off seven straight again – four by Washburn and a conventional three-point play by Fonseca – and it was 16-4.
The home Bearcat pace slowed in the second quarter but baskets by Washburn, who led the Bearcats with 10 points, kept the lead a comfortable 22-13 at the half.
Three third quarter free throws allowed Mena to get within six before Fonseca and Washburn answered to push it back to double digits.
Mena made a push that saw it get to a five point game but with Brody Chamber and Widener connecting a couple of times at the free throw line in the final minute, the Bearcats made enough free throws to keep the visitors at bay.
Widener finished the night with eight points.
Girls
There were six lead changes in a second quarter in which Haylee Taylor (shown) accounted for 10 points and the Lady Bearcats took an 18-15 lead at the half.
Mena seemed to have taken the game over with 11 unanswered third quarter points but the lady Bearcats, again behind Taylor and a game-tying 3 by Makinley Ensey, mounted a comeback to tie the game with 28 seconds to go.
Mena answered Ensey's 3 with the eventual game winning basket with 15 seconds to play to make it 30-28.
Taylor finished with 17 points. Raelynn Franklin scored six first half points and finished with her second straight double digit rebounding night with 13.
Seventh Grade
The Lady Bearcats opened their season with a 25-14 win and the Bearcats were dominant in a 32-12 win.
JUNIOR HIGH BEARCATS BEAT MENA
