Staff Reports

HEFLIN – Senior guard Connor Bates sank seven 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 29 points to lead the Spring Garden Panthers to a 77-64 basketball win over Weaver in the Heflin Holiday Hoops Tournament on Thursday.

Four of Bates’ treys came in the second quarter for the Panthers (11-0).

Jacob Welsh added 22 points for Spring Garden. John Welsh had 16 points and Jaylen Brown finished with nine points.

Harper Williams led the Bearcats with 19 points. KeShawn Allen added 17 points. DJ Marbury and Phoxton Benjamin both netted nine points. Kaden Gooden finished with six points on a pair of 3-pointers.

Weaver held a 12-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter, but Spring Garden rallied to take a 29-20 edge at halftime. Spring Garden led 49-39 at the end of three quarters.