Ninth-grade boys win first two of tournament

PEA RIDGE — The Siloam Springs ninth-grade boys got off to a quick start and went on to defeat Bentonville West 53-41 on Friday in the Santa Slam Classic held at Pea Ridge.

The Panthers (8-3) led 20-8 after the first quarter and pulled ahead 34-15 at halftime.

The Panthers maintained an 19-point lead, 42-23, going into the fourth quarter.

Carter Winesburg led Siloam Springs with 13 points, while Josh Stewart and Jedi Hunter each scored eight, Brendan Lashley seven, Jaxon Koistra and Preston Moody each with five, Jace Sutulovich four and Zach Jones three.

The Panthers defeated Pea Ridge 40-25 on Thursday in the opening game of the Santa Slam.

The game was tied 12-12 after the first quarter with the Panthers pulling ahead 20-14 at halftime.

Siloam Springs outscored the Blackhawks 12-0 in the third quarter to take a 32-14 lead going into the fourth.

Stewart led the Panthers with 20 points, while Winesburg had eight, Hunter six and Koistra, Jones and Tanner Kear each with two.

Results of Saturday’s game against Gentry were not available at presstime.

Girls

The Siloam Springs girls struggled to get their offense going Friday in a 3215 loss to Bentonville West at the Santa Slam.

The Lady Panthers (38) trailed 8-6 after the first quarter and 20-11 at halftime. Siloam Springs was able to score only two points in each of the next two quarters as West won the second half 12-4.

Hannah Riley led the Lady Panthers with six points, while Jaydah Walker and Reina Tiefel each had for and Brooke Ponticello one.

Pea Ridge edged the Lady Panthers in their opening game Thursday 28-27.

Pea Ridge led 7-2 after the first quarter and 12-11 at halftime.

The Lady Blackhawks took a 23-17 lead going into the fourth quarter.

led the Lady Panthers with 10 points, while Tiefel had seven, Baylie Tate and Halle Hernandez each with four, and Walker two.

Results of Saturday’s game against Rogers were not available at presstime.