Eighth-grade Tigers' win streak snapped at 25 games

Nevada Tigers eighth-grade center Ben Hines, goes up for a close-range bucket. (Submitted photo)

Joplin, Mo. ---- The Nevada Tiger eighth-grade basketball team entered Thursday night's contest against Joplin North on 25-game winning streak dating back to last season, when the same group finished 15-0 en route to the Tri-County Conference tournament championship.

Without point guard and leading scorer, Logan Applegate (illness), Nevada (10-1) suffered its first defeat of the season, falling to Joplin North 51-39 in the regular-season finale. The Tigers were led by center Ben Hines who finished with a team-high 14 points.

Nevada's B-team (8-3) defeated Joplin North 29-25 for its eighth consecutive victory, as Wesley Balk led the Tigers' charge with a team-high nine points.

Seventh-grade contests

The Nevada Tigers seventh-grade A-team (2-9) team was also in action at Joplin North on Thursday, as Nevada's A-team was defeated 55-26. Nevada's Kartman Highley tallied a team-high 14 points. Nevada's B-team (4-6) was upended 36-26 as Ethan Gravely concluded with nine points.

Tri-County Tournament

Nevada Middle School's seventh and eighth-grade teams open play next week at the season ending Tri-County Tournaments.

In its quest to repeat as TCC champions, the top-seeded NMS eighth-graders square off with host-school and No. 8 seed Neosho at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Webb City is the No. 2 seed, Joplin South No. 3, Carthage No. 4, Joplin North No. 5, and Carl Junction No. 6.

Nevada eighth-grader Lane McNeley, releases a mid-range jumper. (Submitted photo)

The seventh-grade Tigers, seeded seventh, open play Monday when they match up against second-seeded Webb City. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Joplin North Middle School.