Mercer girls, Putnam County boys take non-conference Thursday night wins

The Mercer Cardinals traveled to Hamilton, while the Putnam County Midgets welcomed former conference foe Schuyler County to Unionville, as part of Thursday night’s high school basketball action.

Mercer provided the second contest of the season for the Lady Hornets, who suffered a blowout loss to Class 4 state-ranked Chillicothe on Tuesday, November 22nd.  Penney’s efforts against Mercer proved to be just as futile as they were nine night earlier, with the Class 1 state-ranked Lady Cardinals rolling to a 70-38 road win.  Mercer, now 2-0 on the season, was led by future Northwest Bearcat Bailey Owens, who hit six 3 pointers on a 28 point night.  Lindsay Wyatt had 23 points and Nicole Kost eight.  For Penney, Nora Ford had 14 points.  

The Penney girls, holding a #8 seed, will play in the KCI Conference basketball tournament in Gower on Saturday, playing #1 seed Mid-Buchanan at 12 noon.

The Penney boys, just five nights removed from winning the Class 1 state football championship in Springfield, brought their sneakers instead of their cleats to the PHS gymnasium, and won their season opener, 61-50 over the visiting Cardinals.

Junior small forward LaTroy Harper led the Hornet charges with 17 points.  Wesley Pratt added 15, Jaran Richman 13, and Cale Whitt 11 points.  The Hornets, owners of a #1 seed in the KCI Tournament, will take on West Platte in the quarterfinal round, Saturday morning at 10:30 at East Buchanan High School in Gower.

Mercer, now 1-1 on the season, was led by Bryer Noe with 19 points, Hunter Shipley with 11, and Jon Johnson with 7 points.  

Penney showed a bit of post-football rust early, as Mercer led the Hornets 14-11 after one quarter.  However a 19-8 advantage in the second quarter gave Hamilton the lead, and eventually, the win.

While Mercer and Hamilton played in a unique “small school vs. big school” doubleheader in Hamilton, the Putnam County Midgets and Schuyler County Rams, two old rivals from the Tri-Rivers Conference, met in Unionville.

Schuyler County’s girls defeated the Lady Midgets in the opener, 62-38, with the Putnam County boys picking up a quality win in the nightcap 72-66.

The Putnam County 8th grade boys beat Trenton on Thursday night, 31-19.  Whitworth had 12 points for the Midgets.  Leeper had eight points for the Bulldogs.