Westran 66, Slater 51

NEW FRANKLIN -- The third meeting of the season between Lewis and Clark Conference rivals Slater and Westran went to the Hornets, the Wildcats losing Saturday's third-place game in the 79th annual New Franklin Tournament, 66-51, while playing without senior Aric Falls -- their leading scorer, who injured his hand two days earlier.

Westran took advantage of Falls' absence during a 15-6 second-quarter run which produced an 11-point halftime lead. Despite a 20-point third period, Slater was unable to get within range.

Freshman Tyler Aulbur knocked down four three-pointers en route to a game-high 17 points and junior Roscoe Robinson added 15 points for the Hornets (5-5).

Senior Austin Foster had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the 'Cats (4-8), who play a league game Tuesday at Fayette.

Sweet Springs 71, Northwest 55

NEW FRANKLIN -- Sweet Springs went on a 44-point tear during the second half Friday, erasing a six-point halftime deficit for a 71-55 victory over Northwest of Hughesville in the consolation final of the New Franklin Tournament.

The Mustangs (3-8) had three players score in double figures, led by 12 points from junior Trevor Durrill.

Sophomore Zach Thomas had the hot hand for the Greyhounds (5-5), tallying 24 points while nailing four three-pointers. That wasn't even tops on the team, as junior Craig Sims had five -- three in the fourth quarter -- for 15 points.

Sweet Springs hosts Wellington-Napoleon for its I-70 Conference opener Tuesday.

Higbee 69, Malta Bend 41

HIGBEE -- Senior Phil Starks scored eight of his 22 points during Higbee's 24-10 first-quarter blitz, the host Tigers (6-2, 3-1 CCAA) claiming a 69-41 victory over Malta Bend.

Junior Ryan Armstrong had 18 points and sophomore Tim Trelow scored 16 points for the visiting Tigers (1-5, 1-3), who play Thursday at New Franklin Tournament champion Pilot Grove.

Girls

Sweet Springs 49,

Pilot Grove 47

NEW FRANKLIN -- The Sweet Springs girls used a 15-8 third quarter to recover from a five-point halftime deficit Saturday to take third place in the New Franklin Tournament with a 49-47 decision over Pilot Grove.

The Lady Greyhounds nearly didn't recover from their semifinal loss to top-ranked Westran, which went on to take the title.

Even after getting the lead, Sweet Springs missed eight of 12 free throws during the fourth quarter -- and 25 of 38 attempts for the game.

The Lady Tigers (7-4) got 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals from senior Kayla Thomas and 13 points and 12 boards from senior Mary Betteridge.

Junior Stephanie Krause and sophomore Rachel Thornton each had 11 points to pace the Lady 'Hounds' balanced attack. Thornton also grabbed 10 rebounds for Sweet Springs (8-2), which has won eight of its last nine games.

Slater 42, Prairie Home 32

NEW FRANKLIN -- Slater used a 14-4 run during the third frame to build on a slim lead at the break Friday, beating Prairie Home, 42-32, in the seventh-place contest of the New Franklin Tournament.

Sophomore Sydney Sells scored 13 points for the Lady Panthers (0-11), who shot only 18.5 percent from the field and were beaten on the boards by a 35-20 margin.

Senior Erika Yager's 20 points and eight rebounds led the way for the Lady Wildcats (5-6), also getting 10 points from junior Rachel Gonzalez.

Higbee 48, Malta Bend 11

HIGBEE -- A 19-0 first quarter was all Higbee needed Friday during a 48-11 CCAA home rout of Malta Bend.

Junior Miranda Zumwalt scored 10 of her game-high 14 points during the final period and senior Aimee Kelley had 12 points for Higbee (1-6, 1-3 CCAA).

The visiting Lady Tigers (0-6, 0-4) were topped by junior Emily Warner's 10 points and five rebounds.