Joseph City returned to the hardwood for the new year with a couple of setbacks to start with, then regrouped to win their third game of the week on Saturday.
The Cats began the week with a homecourt matchup with Veritas Prep on Wednesday. The Falcons came out strong with 24 first-quarter points, building a double-digit lead which grew to 43 to 27 at the half. Joseph City trimmed nine points off that lead in the third but that would be as close as they would get before the final of 64-52.
Bannon Johnston led the team in scoring with 16 points. Cort Miller and Jareon Miller each added 7, Blake Palmer and Eli James both had 5, Kelten Chairez and Bryce Bushman each had 4, and Mees Koopman and Bridger Fields both had 2 in the loss.
The second game of the new year was a similar outcome with this one being played on the road at Hayden. This game was close through the first three quarters with the Cats down by four at the end of the first, half, then by just six at the end of three. In the fourth Hayden doubled them in scoring 18-9 to win the game 64-49.
Jareon Miller led the way with 14, Johnstun had 8; Fields, 7, Bushman, 6; James, 5; Chariez, 4; Cort Miller, 3; and Palmer chipped in 2.
Back on the road on Saturday, the Wildcats were in Superior where they also returned to the win column with a 66-35 victory over the Panthers. The Wildcats controlled the game from the outset, leading 18-4 after the first then holding a 51-10 lead at the half. Both teams netted 25 in the second half of the lopsided Wildcat win.
Jareon Miller led with 13; Johnstun, 8; James, 8; Bridger Fields, 7; Chairez, 6; Bushman, 6; Mees Koopman, 5; Cort Miller, 3; Tristan Paddock, 2; Zane Johnson, 2; Palmer, 2; and Landon Miller added two.
Joseph City is currently 9-9 overall and 5-4 in regular season action. They entered the weekend ranked 13th in the 1A power points. This week they will be busy again with another three games on the schedule. Tuesday, they travel to Cibecue, Friday, they will host Sequoia Charter, then Saturday will be a trip to take on Scottsdale Prep. Next Tuesday will be a home game with Williams.
