Staff Reports
SPRING GARDEN – Spring Garden senior forward Weston Kirk continued his hot shooting of late on Friday night against visiting Pleasant Valley.
Kirk connected on 11-of-20 3-pointers, lifting the Class 2A, No. 9 Panthers to a 97-58 boys basketball victory on senior night.
Kirk’s 3-point performance on Friday tied him for sixth in the AHSAA state record book for most 3s made in a game. He also tied for eighth for the most 3s attempted. Just last Thursday at Cedar Bluff, Kirk fell a point short of tying a Panther boys scoring record with 52 points in a single game.
Kirk also had nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks on Friday night.
Senior guard Ryley Kirk contributed 21 points, including three 3-pointers for the Panthers (18-9). He also had five rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Jacob Welsh came away with eight points. Chaz Pope posted seven points, seven boards, five steals, two assists and a block.
Senior forward Luke Welsh finished with five points, four boards and a steal.
Spring Garden jumped out to a 22-11 edge at the end of the first quarter. The Panthers held a 50-24 lead at halftime and a 74-45 advantage after three quarters.
In the girls game, Ace Austin netted 30 points, including four 3-pointers, in leading the top-ranked Lady Panthers to a 64-37 victory.
Austin also had 10 steals, seven rebounds, six assists and five blocks for the Lady Panthers (28-2). Sarah Kate McKay managed 12 points, including a pair of treys, with two rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist.
Senior post Lexy Adkison collected nine points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Neely Welsh finished with six points, three rebounds and an assist.
Spring Garden led 12-7 at the end of the first quarter, then went on a 25-10 run in the second to take a 37-17 advantage into halftime. The Lady Panthers held a 49-28 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
Both Spring Garden teams now prepare for the Class 2A, Area 12 tournament. The Lady Panthers host Westbrook Christian at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Panther boys host Westbrook Christian on Wednesday at 6 p.m.