YATES CENTER — Yates Center High’s boys got the early jump on Fredonia Thursday, and fended off all challenges from there, winning 61-50.
Quick starts to both halves did the trick. Yates Center led 15-8 after one quarter before Fredonia sliced the lead to 26-22 at the break.
The Wildcats then put some daylight between the teams in the third quarter, leading 48-35 by the end of the period.
Sean Hurst and Cash Cummings were the primary offensive catalysts, scoring 17 and 14 respectively. Preston Hurst scored eight and Taven Smoot seven. Chipping in were Jayston Rice with six points, Blake Audiss with five and Carter Burton with four.
In girls action, the Wildcats dropped a 35-27 decision.
In girls action, Fredonia broke open a close game down the stretch, outscoring the Wildcats 17-8 in the fourth quarter to win, 35-27.
“We played with more intensity and competed,” Yates Center head coach Abbie Collins said. “We just didn’t finish strong.”
Fredonia had scored only 18 points through the first three quarters, and trailed 19-18 headed into the final period. The Yellowjackets were able to pull away, despite hitting only 15 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter, 14 of 34 for the game.
Yates Center’s Morgan Collins scored six of her team-high 12 in the fourth quarter to keep things close.
Molly Proper was next with six, Liberty Cavender with four, Addison Solander with three and Callyn Miller with two.
