Prep Hoops Round-up: Santa Fe gets sweep in I-70 debut

SWEET SPRINGS -- The second-ranked Santa Fe boys' basketball team's bench equaled Sweet Springs in scoring Friday during a 79-43 road win in its I-70 Conference regular season opener.

Of course, sophomore Matt Lovercamp's game-high 23 points, most of it coming on seven three-point goals, had much to do with the production of the Chiefs' reserves.

Seven Santa Fe subs made shots during a contest which was essentially over by halftime, when the Greyhounds found themselves trailing, 39-15.

Junior Nick Peeples had 13 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots for Sweet Springs (6-7, 0-2 I-70), which was only two of 23 shooting from three-point range.

Senior Bryan Sander scored 11 points and senior Luke Brandt had 10 for Santa Fe (12-1, 1-0). The Chiefs will play host Tuesday to St. Paul, which will turn around and entertain the 'Hounds on Friday.

Paris 62, Slater 29

PARIS -- The Slater boys were hanging in against Lewis and Clark Conference contender Paris for a half Friday, but the 13-point deficit only widened during the second half of the Coyotes' 62-29 home win.

Junior Jon Gilliam's 14 points topped a balanced attack for Paris (9-3, 3-0 L&C).

Senior Zach Calhoun had 12 points and junior Chris Scott produced six points and 14 rebounds for the Wildcats (3-8, 0-3), who take on Salisbury at home Friday.

Girls

Santa Fe 47, Sweet Springs 42

SWEET SPRINGS -- The Santa Fe girls got 14 points each from seniors Molly Blomberg and Dani Heimsoth to avenge an earlier loss on the Sweet Springs floor Friday with a 47-42 victory.

The Lady Chiefs had been beaten by the hosts a month earlier in the I-70 Conference Tournament, but built an eight-point halftime lead during the league rematch. Blomberg hit a pair of three-pointers during the first period and Heimsoth tallied a dozen points before the break.

The Lady Greyhounds shot an anemic 23.3 percent from the field and nearly caught up during the final frame, when Santa Fe missed four of six free-throw attempts.

Junior Rachel Thornton had 12 points and five steals and junior Kristin Jones produced 10 points and 13 rebounds for Sweet Springs (6-7, 1-1 I-70), which plays Friday at St. Paul.

Junior Lauren Aversman and sophomore Molly Sander combined for 12 points for the Lady Chiefs (5-8, 1-0), who host the Saints on Tuesday.

Paris 50, Slater 44

PARIS -- The Slater girls' basketball team made nine of 18 three-point attempts Friday, but a 29-11 deficit on the boards proved decisive during a 50-44 Lewis and Clark Conference loss at Paris.

A pair of six-footers, senior Alex Kennedy and junior Amanda DeOrnellas, hurt the Lady Wildcats on the glass -- each scoring 14 points to pace the Lady Coyotes (5-7, 1-2 L&C).

Senior Rachel Gonzalez hit four outside shots on her way to 14 points and sophomore Ana Jackson added 12 points and five rebounds for Slater (9-3, 2-1), which will have a week off before Friday's home game against Salisbury.