City: Buford, Wells pace Libbey

2/18/2006

Libbey broke out to a 23-11 lead after one quarter and never looked back in topping Clay 77-58 in the first game of a boys City League basketball doubleheader at Savage Hall last night.

Sophomores William Buford and Julius Wells topped the Cowboys (11-7, 8-3) with 21 points and six rebounds apiece, and senior guard Byron Johnson mixed three 3-pointers into his 14-point effort for Libbey, which torched the nets with 55 percent (32 of 58) shooting from the field.

Clay (8-10, 2-9) got game highs of 25 points and seven rebounds from Wes Taylor. Brad Rucki added nine points and Zac Taylor eight for the Eagles, who never got closer than 15 points after trailing 45-21 at halftime.

The Eagles, who were 21-of-46 from the field, 15-of-21 from the line and outrebounded Libbey 31-29, committed 21 turnovers. The Cowboys were 9-for-12 at the line.

St. Francis 62,

Rogers 42

After a first quarter that was knotted at 12, the Knights pulled away for their final victory at home.

Marlon Price led the way for St. Francis (17-1, 10-1) with 16 points. Nick Meinert followed up with 10.

Derron Williams was the high scorer for Rogers (5-13, 4-7) with 14 points.

Start 46, Waite 42

Robert Lonas scored 15 points and Terrell West 14 for visiting Start (11-7, 7-4).

Poor free throw shooting, especially in the fourth quarter, cost Waite. The Indians (7-11, 3-8) made only 10 of 23 free throws and were 4-of-12 in the final period.

Mark Wortham and Kahari Riley led Waite with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Central Catholic 53,

Bowsher 42

Seniors Rashad Burton (18 points) and Kevin Jansen (14) had big games on Senior Night for the Irish (10-8, 5-6).

Central Catholic shot 64 percent from the field to 35 percent for visiting Bowsher (3-13, 3-7).

Andy Williams tallied 13 points and Ken Hairston 12 for the Rebels.

Woodward 53,

Whitmer 51

Shannon Grice scored 12 points and Robert McLane added 10 as Woodward won its first league game.

Each team hit 17 2-pointers. The visiting Panthers hit 11 of 19 free throws to the Polar Bears' 10 of 20, but the Bears nailed four 3-pointers to the Panthers' two.

Dave Sweeney led Whitmer with 19 points.