By Doug Higgins
In a renewal of the Rice County rivalry, Sterling got the upper hand with a 60-27 win in the opening round of the 13th Sterling Invitational Tournament on the girls’ side of the bracket.
The Black Bears turned a nine-point first-period lead into a 35-12 advantage at halftime. Aleya Ravenstein poured in 11 of her 16 points to spark the Sterling in that big second period. Sterling led 51-20 after three periods and went on to get the victory.
The Black Bears were led in scoring was Aleya Ravenstein with a team and game high 16 points. Also scoring in double figures were Blaine Locke with 14 and Allie Gray 12 points.
Leading the way for Lyons was Hayden Linden, who also had a game-high 16 points, surpassing her previous career high of 12 points set earlier this season. Linden had three triples and went 3 of 4 from the charity stripe.
Sterling is now 4-8. The Black Bears will advance to the semifinal game 6 p.m. Thursday against the Hugoton Eagles. Lyons drops to 1-11. The Lions will play the 4:30 p.m. game on Thursday against the Kingman Eagles.
Scott City boys 59, Lyons 46 – The 54th Annual Sterling Invitational Tournament opened with the Lyons Lions and Scott City Beavers meeting in the Gleason Center at Sterling College on Tuesday.
Scott City grabbed the early lead before Lyons ran off 10 unanswered points to take a 16-12 lead after the first period. Then Scott City scored 12 unanswered early in the second before Lyons closed the half with the 27-24 lead as they went on a 12-0 run late in the half. The third quarter saw Scott City turn up the intensity to outscore Lyons 14-7 and take a four-point lead after three periods. The Beavers then outscored Lyons 21-12.
Scott City was led in scoring by Brody Stecklein with 18 points on seven field goals and 4 of 6 from the stripe. Stecklein also led the Beavers with seven rebounds. Also scoring were Drew Metzger in double figures with 12 points and Junior Meza with 11 points.
Lyons had two players in double figures as Paco Espinoza had 15 points and five rebounds. Tegan Link finished with 14 points.
Scott City advances to 5-4 overall and will play in Sterling in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Sterling College.
Lyons falls to 5-7 and will again play at 3 p.m. on Thursday as they take on the Kingman Eagles in consolation play.
