Maconaquah Schools

The 7/8 BBB teams had a successful Saturday morning, hosting and winning the 4 team Mac Invite. The 7th grade Braves were able to win their bracket by putting together two of their more impressive games of the season. The Braves exploded in the first game, winning 64-28. The press defense fueled the offense as they scored 43 first half points. They ran in transition, shared the ball, and shot well from distance, hitting 6 three point field goals in the game. For the first game, the 7th grade was led in scoring by Jackson Betzner and Wyatt Troyer with 18, Martin Chaires with 9, Colt Johnson 6, Gideon Pier and Layne Miller with 4, Chaston Wilson 3 and Braxton Manriquez 2. The 7th grade Braves faced Peru in the championship game and came away with a 38-24 win. They started quick and led 16-2, fueled by the strong full court press. The Braves were able to hold Peru at arm's length the rest of the game. Scoring for the Braves in the Championship Game: Jackson Betzner with 13, Gideon Pier with 8, Layne Miller 5, Martin Chaires and Wyatt Troyer with 4 and Braxtyn Allen and Colt Johnson with 2. The 8th grade Braves started with a win against Tri Central in their first game of the day - 49-27. They were strong on the defensive end, allowing only 7 points in the first half of the game. The Braves didn't shoot particularly well, but a balanced score sheet was enough to get a solid team victory. Scoring for the 8th grade in the first game: Levi Merritt (13 points), Colt Myers (9 points), Brayden Stamper (7 points), Evan Zeiser (7 points), Jaxon Cole (5 points), Kaysin Workman (4 points), Bentley Miller (2 points), and Caleb Barnett (2 points). The Braves battled a very athletic Eastern Comet team in the 8th grade championship game. They started strong with a 10-2 lead before the Comets cut into the difference with some strong outside shooting. It was a game of runs, as the Braves were able to climb to double digit leads only for Eastern to bring it back to a one or two possession game several times throughout the matchup. A few moments of excitement came when the Braves hit buzzer beaters at the end of the 1st and the 2nd quarters! Foul trouble for the Braves and sharp shooting from behind the arc by the Comets kept the game close. The Braves were able to maintain control of their closest game of the season by outscoring Eastern 11-2 in the 4th quarter. The competitive championship game ended with the Braves on top 44-35! Scoring for the 8th grade Braves in the 'ship were: Jaxon Cole (17 points), Levi Merritt (11 points), Brayden Stamper (6 points), Colt Myers (4 points), Evan Zeiser (3 points), and Bentley Miller (3 points). It was a fun day of basketball - bringing home 2 Championship Victories! Great day to be a Brave!! Both 7/8 grade will host Lewis Cass on Tuesday evening in the first round of the RRC Tournament.