Pointers get a win in 5A-West opener

VAN BUREN — Now off to its best start in nine seasons, Van Buren continued its winning ways Friday to begin league play with a victory at Clair Bates Arena.

Behind game-highs of 13 points each from Drew Brasuell and Trenton Cooley, Van Buren used its hot shooting early to pull away for a 47-40 victory against Greenbrier in the 5A-West Conference opener for both programs.

Growing up in Van Buren, Brasuell has seen the highs and lows of Van Buren basketball. He said he is glad to be a part of the Pointers’ best season since 2015 now with his teammates.

“We have been putting this season together over the course of the last three,” Brasuell said. “It’s so awesome. Even some of the guys that left the program have really helped to build it to what it is. We are who we are because of them. This is really special to us all.”

Van Buren (12-5, 1-0 5A-West) started the game with a 12-2 run, scoring all its points from three-point range. Brasuell, Cooley, Glavine McDonald and Jaxon Cazzell all made three-point shots to earn the early edge.

While building a 18-9 lead after the first quarter, the Pointers had all five starters score in the frame and made 7 of 12 attempts from the field.

“It’s always good when you come out right away, hit some shots and be on the attack,” Van Buren Coach Brad Autry said. “We got the crowd into it. We showed great energy out of the gate, and that carried us the rest of the game. It was good. We are capable to do this just about any night. We have some talented offensive guys. We got good looks.”

The hot shooting continued for Van Buren in the second quarter, building a 29-15 lead heading into the break. The Pointers made 5 of 9 attempts to shoot 57% from the field in the first two quarters.

Greenbrier (8-8, 0-1) made its push in the second half, outscoring Van Buren 25-18, but the come-from-behind attempt ran out of time.

Greenbrier was guided by a team-high 11 points from Jackson Edwards.

Van Buren was balanced with four players scoring more than eight points in Cooley (13 points), Brasuell (13 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block), Cazzell (9 points) and McDonald (8 points and 7 rebounds). A.G. Denton also did a little bit of everything for Van Buren with 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists and a block.

GIRLS VAN BUREN 62, GREENBRIER 31

The Lady Pointers, who have their best record in eight seasons, built on their historic start to the year with a win in their conference opener.

Van Buren (13-4, 1-0 5A-West) was guided by Aspen Cone (13 points, 5 steals, 3 assists and 3 rebounds) and Camryn Schmidt (10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals). Hope Oden also chipped in 9 points off the bench with 3 assists.

Van Buren built a 15-8 advantage in the opening quarter that ballooned to a 30-14 lead at halftime.

Greenbrier (5-11, 0-1) was led by Rhiauna Dorris’ team-high 12 points.

Ally James didn’t score but made impacts elsewhere with 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists for the Lady Panthers.