Babb, Blevins pace Eagles to sixth win

Chris Babb scored 22 points to lead the unbeaten Cutter Morning Star Eagles to their sixth victory Friday night, 53-38 over visiting Abundant Life.

Tae Blevins added 11 points while grabbing eight rebounds, and Jacob Slaton had eight points with four rebounds.

CMS stretched an early 12-11 lead to 25-18 by halftime and outscored Abundant Life by eight in the second half. Blane Burnett led the Owels with 10 points.

CMS strugled from outside, shooting 40 percent, and missed seven of 15 free throws. Abundant Life made 11 of 17 from the line.

“We played, in spurts, good defensively,” CMS coach Jesse Slick said. “I thought we got a little impatient at times on defense. That obviously showed in the foul count. We just gotta be more disciplined on defense. Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy.

“We’re playing a lot of guys,” he said. “It’s early December. We’re still working on those kind of things. Guys understanding what they can and can’t do, what they need to and don’t need to do. Those are things that we are going to try to get worked out so come February we’re clicking. We’ve got a lot of potential.”

CMS plays the Maumelle Charter Falcons at home Tuesday night.

“I’ve got some seniors who’ve been through it before,” Slick said. “Last year they were with me, but as far as winning — I mean, we won, but winning like this — dealing with these things now, dealing with success, it’s something you have to deal with. It’s just like learning how to play with a lead. Those are all things we’ve gotta get better with. I’m not complaining — 6-0. It’s nice to win and still work on things.”

Girls

Abundant Life held CMS scoreless in the first quarter and won the senior girls’ game 48-45, Demi Bratton scoring a team-high eight points for the Lady Eagles.

Abundant Life padded a 23-12 lead to 40-15 in the third quarter, Sadie Carrell scoring 19 points for the Lady Owls.

Larissa York, scoring five points, led the Lady Eagles with four rebounds and Bratton had three. Madison Dixon and Cherokee Fields each added three rebounds.