Northeast Vernon County splits Homecoming games Friday

Northeast Vernon County High School sophomore Jayce Vantellman considers a pass while El Dorado Springs' Lance Molz blocks his path to the basket during Friday night's Homecoming game at Northeast Vernon County High School. The Knights lost the game, 55-20.

WALKER -- Homecoming is usually a night that comes with celebration all around, but that was not the case for the Northeast Vernon County Knights Friday, as they came up on the short end of a 55-20 decision against the El Dorado Springs Bulldogs. The news was much better for the Lady Knights on the night, as they were able to defeat the Lady Bulldogs of Ballard High School by a final score of 48-31.

In the boys' game, the outcome was never really in question as the Bulldogs opened up a 16-4 lead after the first quarter. That lead eventually expanded to 34-6 at halftime and from there, it was simply a matter of running out the clock.

Though things did get better for the Knights in the second half, El Dorado Springs did just that, ultimately cruising to a 35-point victory.

Northeast Vernon County's Camille Buttorff takes a free throw during the Lady Knights' Homecoming game Friday night, against Ballard. Buttorff finished the night with 30 points.

Ty Davis and Drue Hoagland led the offensive effort for the Knights as they each finished the night with seven points. Mitchell Longstreth, Jacob Hazel and Trenton Rader rounded out the scoring with two apiece.

The El Dorado Springs offense turned out to be very balanced, as 11 players got into the scoring column. Leading the effort were Jake Hillsman and Spencer Young, who each finished with eight points.

Things went much better for the home team in the girls' game as Northeast Vernon County had little trouble getting around Ballard. The Lady Knights opened the contest with a 12-6 lead after the first quarter and from there, head coach Jeremy Barger's squad never looked back.

That lead stayed steady through the remainder of the half as the two squads matched points in the second quarter, ultimately sending the game to halftime with the hosts up, 19-13. Northeast Vernon County won the third quarter, 13-9, to open up the lead a little bit more before ultimately holding on to take the 17-point victory.

Camille Buttorff led the offensive effort for the Lady Knights as she poured in 30 of her team's 48 points. Tori Stutzman added eight, while Haley Hays and Karleigh Conner each had four and Mikelah Moyer finished with one.

For Ballard, Stachia Cooper led the offense with 11 points. She was joined in double figures by Sam Walsh, who finished with 10.

Next on the schedule for the Northeast Vernon County squads is Tuesday, when they return to their home floor to take on the Panthers and Lady Panthers of Sheldon High School. The first game on the schedule that night is set to tip off at 5:30 p.m., in the gym at Northeast Vernon County High School.