Raiders End Losing Streak; Valle Girls Win in Dramatic Finish

In an exhilarating series of high school basketball matches on January 17, 2025, the North County Raiders broke a five-game losing streak with a decisive 56-44 victory against the West County Bulldogs. The Raiders maintained control throughout the game, largely thanks to the efforts of Will Weible, who scored a game-high 17 points. North County improved its record to 5-8 while West County fell to 5-10.

North County established an early lead with a 19-9 advantage, propelled by a strong offensive performance in the first quarter. The team maintained a comfortable margin, leading 25-16 at halftime and extending it to 43-29 by the end of the third quarter. Alongside Weible, Kyle Straughan contributed 15 points, while Noah McMahan and Cole Mullins added 12 and 8 points, respectively. For West County, Wyatt Scherffius led the scoring with 14 points.

Fredericktown and Farmington Achieve Impressive Wins

Fredericktown also enjoyed success on the court, defeating Arcadia Valley with a commanding score of 59-37. David Slinkard led the Blackcats with 19 points, including five 3-pointers, as they secured their sixth consecutive win. Fredericktown outscored Arcadia Valley 20-8 in the final quarter, solidifying their dominance.

The Farmington Knights avenged a previous loss to Hillsboro with a 90-78 victory. Ryder Gollaher was outstanding, scoring 33 points, while teammates Cooper Tripp and Tatem Tinsley contributed 17 and 12 points, respectively. Farmington’s ability to drive to the basket and capitalize on free throws, converting 29-of-36, played a key role in their success.

Valle Catholic Girls Triumph in Nail-Biting Finish

In girls’ action, the Valle Catholic team narrowly edged past Ste. Genevieve with a thrilling 43-42 victory. Kelby Detring became the hero of the night, scoring the decisive basket in the closing moments. Valle Catholic overcame a significant lead change in the final minute, showcasing resilience on the court.

Valle Catholic established a solid lead at halftime, 20-15, but faced stiff competition as Ste. Genevieve rallied back. Despite a strong performance from Aleah Filer, who scored 13 points for the Dragons, Valle Catholic’s defense proved crucial in securing the win.

The day’s action also featured the reigning Class 4 state champions, Doniphan, who convincingly defeated Arcadia Valley with a score of 74-42. Bella Monaghan shone with a game-high 30 points, helping her team build a significant lead early in the game.

In a lighter contest, Kingston Cougars overwhelmed Bourbon with a score of 67-25, led by Brady Thompson, who scored an impressive 39 points in less than three quarters.

These games highlighted the competitive spirit and talent present in local high school basketball, as teams continue to battle for dominance in their respective conferences. The next round of games promises to bring even more excitement as teams look to build on their successes.