Staff Reports

SAND ROCK – Katelyn StClair netted 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, in leading the Sand Rock Lady Wildcats to a 77-34 thrashing of Gaston in the Class 2A, Area 12 girls basketball tournament on Tuesday.

StClair also accounted for nine steals, seven rebounds and two assists for the Lady Wildcats (17-13). Zoey Handy collected 16 points, seven boards, five steals and two assists. Chloe Stephens contributed 11 points, eight steals, three rebounds and three assists.

Jacey Stephens and Molly Grace Lay both netted nine points. Jacey Stephens had two 3-pointers and four steals. Grace sank three treys.

For the game, Sand Rock connected on 13 3-pointers.

The Lady Wildcats will take on Collinsville for the area title on Friday at 6 p.m.

Sand Rock also defeated Gaston in boys area tournament action on Tuesday by the final of 75-62.

Kaden Justice led the Wildcats with 27 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Jacob StClair tossed in 25 points, including two 3-pointers and a 7-of-8 performance from the free-throw line. He also pulled down seven boards. Ben Dale delivered seven points and 11 rebounds. Zack Clanton finished with five points and three boards.

Mica Merriman scored 35 points to lead the Bulldogs, including connecting on 16-of-19 shots from the free-throw line and three 3-pointers. Will Bagley added 12 points, including a pair of treys. Devon Green finished with eight points.

Sand Rock held a 20-19 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Gaston rallied to take a 38-31 edge at halftime. Sand Rock regained the lead after three quarters at 56-48 and outscored the Bulldogs 19-14 in the fourth for the final.

The Wildcats (18-10) will battle Fyffe on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the area championship game.