Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Goldbugs dominated the road game with the Newkirk Tigers Friday night, quieting the home fans. The Goldbugs scored 11 unanswered points to begin the contest and never let up the pressure. By halftime, the Alva lead was 32-14, and the Goldbugs won 60-30.

First Quarter

It took awhile for anyone to score, but finally Jackson Feely sank a shot with his back to the basket. Kyler Penco sailed the ball from three-point range. It hit the back of the rim and the front of the rim before dropping through.

The Goldbugs continued to keep the Tigers away from their basket, and Penco was fouled in the process. He sank both shots and topped that off with another basket. Alva now led 9-0. Austin Reed went in for a layup to give the Goldbugs 11.

Newkirk's Blake Johnston finally scored from outside the circle, the only points the Tigers made in the first quarter. Ean Watters had two chances at the free throw line but missed. Feely and Chuck Shelite added baskets and Reed made a three-pointer to end the quarter. Alva led 18-3.

Second Quarter

Weston Tucker started off the second period with a steal and layup for the Goldbugs. Johnston made another trey for Newkirk. Reed went for a jumper but was fouled. He made one of the two shots. Watters hit a basket for the Tigers. Alva now led 21-8.

Daniel Harrelson scored from three-point range for the Tigers. After several failed tries by both teams, Feely made a basket. Penco added another and was fouled. He made that shot for the three-point play. Alva now led 29-11. Three-pointers by Reed and Vap finished out the second quarter scoring. At halftime, Alva led 32-14.

Third Quarter

Newkirk continued to struggle in the third quarter. Feely missed a basket but scored on the stickback. The Tigers scored on two free throws and a basket. Reed, Kaden Slater and Shelite added three baskets in a row for Alva. Shelite hit a three, and Alva was up 43-20.

Jaykob Shirley went to the charity stripe and hit both shots for Newkirk. He followed that with a basket. Braden Hofen made a basket and was fouled in the act. He hit the free throw, too. With time running out, Reed passed the ball to Hofen who dunked it. Shelite sank a basket, but it didn't count because a prior foul was called. The quarter ended with Alva leading 48-22.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter seemed to go on forever. Alva sent in more players from the bench, and action slowed down. In the final period, Tucker hit a trey and Penco scored two baskets. Penco also made a couple of free throw shots. Jordan Lohmann sank two free throws and Drew Glass scored on one as did Aiden Faison.

The Newkirk Tigers struggled but managed eight points to finish the game. The final score was Alva 60, Newkirk 30.

Wrap-Up

Goldbug scoring was led by Penco with 16 followed by Reed with 14, Shelite with 8 and Feely with 6. Hofen and Tucker each scored five points. Slater and Lohmann had two each. Glass and Faison made one apiece.

Newkirk scoring was led by Shirley with seven while Johnston and Harrelson had six each.

The Goldbugs will be at home Tuesday night as they take on Blackwell in a homecoming game right after the girls game.