Staff Reports

HANDLEY – Ace Austin collected 27 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in leading Class 2A top-ranked Spring Garden to a 71-48 girls basketball victory at Handley on Thursday.

Neely Welsh added 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal for the Lady Panthers (27-2). Lexy Adkison contributed 11 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. Sarah Kate McKay managed nine points, three steals, two rebounds, and assist and a block. Abbey Steward finished with six points on a pair of 3-pointers.

Spring Garden built an 18-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter and held a 30-24 edge at halftime. The Lady Panthers outscored Handley 41-24 in the second half for the final.

In boys action, Weston Kirk connected on three 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 22 points, but they weren’t enough to lead the ninth-ranked Spring Garden Panthers past Handley in boys basketball action on Thursday. Spring Garden fell by the final of 91-75.

Kirk also came away with 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists and a blocked shot for the Panthers (17-9). Cooper Austin added 21 points, including a pair of treys, with five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Chaz Pope posted 12 points with two 3-pointers. He also had four rebounds and a pair of assists. Cam Welsh finished with nine points.

Handley held a 28-20 advantage at the end of the first quarter and a 52-37 edge at halftime. The Tigers took a 69-51 lead heading into the final quarter.

Both Spring Garden teams are in action on Friday evening at home against Pleasant Valley.