By Cinthia Rico FORT PAYNE – Fort Payne basketball teams swept Westminster Christian Academy on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Wildcat Gymnasium.
In the battle of the Wildcats, Fort Payne made quick work of Westminster with a 50-15 win.
Libby Redden led all scorers with 14 points and multiple rebounds; Redden and senior Bryla Gray connected on multiple plays that led to baskets; and Gray added 8 points for Fort Payne.
Zaria Craig finished with 8, Jireh Wagner had 6, Carley Cash posted 4, while Avery Chadwick and senior Emma Evett had 3 each. Zimri Craig and Zoie Craig each chipped in 2 points for Fort Payne.
With a 6-point lead in the first quarter, Fort Payne kept Westminster scoreless as the Redden and Gray combination got things going early in the game.
The Fort Payne girls gained steam in the second and scored back-to-back baskets, maintaining their momentum.
Fort Payne led 24-3 at the half, and Jireh Wagner finished the period with two free throws and a two-point basket.
In the second half, Fort Payne’s offensive pressure yielded seven additional points.
Cash broke the 30-point mark with a pair of free throws midway through the third, and Gray connected with Zaria Craig for two. Zoie Craig followed with a 3-point basket, making it 41-8 late in the frame.
Fort Payne extended their lead to 44-8 by the end of the third period.
Westminster’s offense managed to score 7 additional points as the minutes ticked away, while Fort Payne held steady en route to a 50-15 victory.
BOYS The Fort Payne boys overpowered Westminster Christian Academy 64-43.
Luke Stephens led Fort Payne in double-digit scoring with 15 points, JJ Willoughby and Josh Scott added 13 each, Jackson Banks added 9, Nolan Fowler finished with 6, Mason Chandler had 5, and Levi Crow chipped in 3 in the win.
Both teams stepped up their offensive game as Josh Scott opened the evening with a 3-pointer and Kyle Everleth of Westminster responded with two.
Levi Crow’s three-pointer to end the first quarter with a score of 15-9 let Fort Payne get some distance. Patrick Mayfield narrowed the gap to 15-12 with a 3-point corner shot, and Jackson Banks answered with a rebound score.
With back-to-back 3s, Fort Payne began to put some distance in. Luke Stephens hit a buzzer-beater going into the half with a 37-22 advantage.
Settling into a groove and furthering their offensive efforts, Fort Payne held on to their lead in the second half. Chandler broke the 50-point mark, and Stephens closed out scoring with a 58-32 score.
Jackson Banks of Fort Payne hit a corner three to seal a 64-43 victory in the closing seconds of play, despite a late rally by Westminster.
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