Report by Wes Gwaltney
The Batesville Pioneers returned to the hardwood Monday night traveling to Greene County to take on the Paragould Rams in a conference game originally scheduled for Jan. 8.
With the Lady Pioneers getting their game in on the original date, just one Varsity game would be on the docket and it would not disappoint.
Baskets would fall early and often for both squads as the two teams would combine for 38 points in the opening frame and the Pioneers would hold a 21-17 edge into the first break.
The tempo would shift only slightly in the second quarter as both teams would still score plenty of points, but the Pioneers were able to add to their lead 39-32 at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, a switch was flipped for the Pioneer defense as they would hold the Rams to just four points in the quarter while tacking on 17 of their own and opening up a 20 point advantage into the last frame.
The Pioneers would grow their lead several times in the last quarter before defeating the Rams by a final of 70-50.
Leading the Pioneers in scoring was Freshman Caden Griffin whose 10 first-quarter points would help guide the team offensively before he finished with 19 on the night.
Junior Logan McSpadden would join Griffin in double digits with 11 points and Senior Kyrese Johnson would add 10.
The Pioneers will now rest for a few days before rejoining the ladies back on the road Friday night at Jonesboro for another Varsity doubleheader.
JV games are set to start at 5 p.m. with Varsity action to follow around 6 p.m.
