Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Goldbugs finally got one of their missing players back Friday night in the matchup at Perry. Senior Aiden Kimberlin came off the injured list after missing the first seven games of the season. Kimberlin played only nine minutes in game but had an impact on both offensive and defensive efforts.

The Goldbugs had a fairly easy night against the Perry Maroons, gaining a solid lead in the first quarter and never losing their advantage. At the end of the first quarter, Alva led 20-7. At halftime, the Goldbugs were up 35-17. The Goldbugs added 22 more points in the third, finishing at 57-31. Both teams scored 14 points in the final period with Alva winning 71-45.

First Half

Kash Shipley put three points on the board for Alva to start the game. Maroon Trevan Tabbert scored on a basket, but the Goldbugs went on an 11 point run. Kyler Martin added a free throw. Shipley scored on a basket. Trace Hamilton earned two points at the charity stripe. Then Cambell Gaisford stole the ball, went on a fast break down the floor and stuck the layup. Martin added one more charity point. Kimberlin came into the game and stole the ball, finishing with a layup. Kimberlin took the ball to the rim again, but his two-handed dunk lingered a bit too long on the hoop earning a technical. That gave Perry a chance at the line, but Jaxson Cunningham hit only one of two tries. The Goldbugs now led 14-3.

Perry managed one more free throw point by Tajon Cunningham and a trey from Bradlee Odle during the quarter. Meanwhile the Goldbugs racked up three baskets from Kelan Penco, Kimberlin and Cameron Longhurst. The quarter finished with Alva leading 20-7.

After Perry failed at the charity stripe, Shipley opened second quarter scoring with a triple. The Maroons made four trips to the free throw line, scoring six points to narrow the Alva lead to 10. Shipley and Ruiz pushed up the Alva point total with two each. Hamilton added back-to-back baskets, and Shipley followed with a three-pointer. Alva now led 34-13. Williams and Carson managed baskets for Perry, and Ruiz finished out the quarter making one of two from the free throw line. At halftime, Alva led 35-17.

Second Half

Perry opened the second half with two baskets from Owen Hall. Kimberlin added a trey for Alva, and Longhurst scored a basket. The teams went back and forth with Alva having the scoring advantage. The Goldbugs had two baskets from Wyatt Tucker, another trey from Kimberlin, a trey from Shipley. Near the end of the quarter Conner Adair scored on a three-pointer. The Maroons scored 14 points in the quarter including three-pointers from Williams and Tabbert. At the end of the third period, Alva led 57-31.

Desiree Morehead

Aiden Ruiz (24) takes a jump shot over the Perry defense.

Penco opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer. Tucker had a three-point play on a basket and foul shot. Kimberlin added another trey and a stick-back basket. Hamilton contributed one free throw while Ruiz made two. The game was pretty much decided before the quarter started, but Perry continued with a strong effort. Both teams scored 14 points in the final period, and Alva won 71-45.

Wrap-Up

Kimberlin led the Goldbugs in scoring with 17 points followed closely by Shipley with 16. Hamilton had eight points and Tucker seven. Longhurst finished with six pointa while Penco and Ruiz had five apiece. Adair had three points while Gaisford and Martin had two each.

Williams led the Maroons with 17 points followed by Whelan Carson with nine. Hall had six, Tabbert five, Matthew Larkin four, Odle three and Cunningham one.

After the holiday break, the Goldbugs will be back in action in a road game at Blackwell on Tuesday, Jan. 2. After that is the Wheat Capital Tournament at Chisholm Jan. 4-6.