The Waynesville Tigers boys’ basketball squad struggled in its home opener last week, falling to Neosho 70-44 Tuesday, Dec. 2.Â
This week, Waynesville was to host Salem Tuesday night before playing in the Pocahontas Classic in Pocahontas, Arkansas over the weekend. Dec. 12-13.Â
Neosho 70, Waynesville 44:Junior Jerome Shelton scored five early points to keep the Tigers within striking distance in the first quarter, yet Waynesville trailed 17-11 heading into the second.Â
The Wildcats began to pull away in the second, outsourcing Waynesville 21-10 to take a 38-21 advantage into halftime.Â
The woes continued from there for Waynesville, as the Tigers were again outscored 16-9 in the third period. Junior Jaiden Reynolds netted five of those nine points in the period.Â
Junior Omar Gonzales scored five in the final quarter to round out scoring for Waynesville.Â
Shelton and Gonzales finished the night in double figures, with 13 and 10 points, respectively.Â
Oliver Martin scored a game-high 21 points to lead all scorers, while Zachary Forsythe added 17, Kaiden Asberry 15 and Houston Branscum 10 for Neosho.Â
Neosho edged out Waynesville in the junior varsity game 40-37.Â
The Lady Tiger basketball squad went 1-2 in the murderous Marshfield Tip-Off Tournament, held Dec. 1-5.
Waynesville opened the season by losing to host Marshfield, a Class 5 state quarterfinalist last season, 71-27 Monday, Dec. 1 before beating Ava 49-42 Wednesday, Dec. 3. The Lady Tigers ended play by falling to defending Class 1 state champion Chadwick 55-49 Friday, Dec. 5.
This week the Lady Tigers were slated to play at Osage Thursday, Dec. 11.
