Alva Review-Courier -

After losing the first round of regionals, the Alva Goldbugs had to win two more games to stay alive in the playoffs. On Thursday, Feb. 22, at Chisholm, the Goldbugs faced a slow, methodical Lincoln Christian team. The Goldbugs prefer a fast-paced game and couldn't seem to adjust to the Bulldogs' slowdown. The score stayed fairly close until the final quarter when Lincoln Christian outscored Alva 15-10 to win by six points at 42-36.

Aiden Ruiz led the Goldbugs in scoring with 13 points followed by Daylon Malone with 11 and Aiden Kimberlin with eight. Kelan Penco and Lantz Mathers had two points each.

Lincoln Christian was led in scoring by Grayson Swafford with 15 while Derek Stokes had 13. Cannon Williams made eight points and Isaiah Campbell.

Goldbugs vs Perry

The loss on Thursday sent Alva to the consolation side of the bracket. The Goldbugs faced the Perry Maroons on Friday night in Perry. The Goldbugs dominated the first half of the game, tallying 22 points in the first quarter to just eight for Perry. In the second quarter, Alva added 24 points while Perry managed only three. At halftime, the Goldbugs led 46-11. Alva scoring eased off a little in the third quarter with the Goldbugs leading 61-18 going into the final quarter. Alva starters sat out the last quarter of the game as players rotated in from the bench. The final was Alva 74, Perry 30.

Senior Aiden Ruiz posted 19 points to lead the Goldbugs followed by Aiden Kimberlin with 13 and Trace Hamilton with ten. Kash Shipley had eight points while Daylon Malone and Cameron Longhurst scored seven each. Lantz Mathers made four points, Maddox Beck three, Jantz Heaton two and Kyler Martin one.

The Maroons were led by Owen Hall and Bradlee Odle with eight points each while Tajon Williams had six. Whelan Carson, Hayden Garfield, Jaxson Cunningham and Matthew Larkin each had two points.

Goldbugs vs Rejoice Christian

Desiree Morehead

Alva Junior Lantz Mathers (25) keeps his eyes on the basket as he goes in for the shot. The Goldbugs lost to Lincoln Christian Thursday evening, 36-42.

With the win over Perry, the Goldbugs moved into the consolation final against Rejoice Christian. The Goldbugs held a slight lead of 13-9 after the first quarter, but the Eagles managed a one point lead at halftime, 21-20. A couple of three-point baskets in the third kept Rejoice Christian in the game, but Alva led 32-28 at the end of three periods. The Goldbugs heated up in the final quarter to outscore Rejoice 17-2 and take the consolation championship 49-30.

Aiden Kimberlin led the Alva scoring with 17 points followed by Daylon Malone with 14. Aiden Ruiz had eight points with Kash Shipley scoring six and Lantz Mathers four.

The Eagles were led by David Price with 11 points followed by Xavier Okwufulueze with seven and Nathan Price with six. Zach Blake and Noah Catron each had three.

With the win, the Goldbugs advanced to area playoffs in Kellyville on Thursday when they were to take on Roland in a 2:30 p.m. game. The winner of that game plays the winner of the Spiro vs Lincoln Christian matchup at 2:30 p.m. today (March 1). The loser is finished for the season. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the area finals on Saturday night to play the loser of the Metro Christian and Victory Christian game.