Bill Taylor made a triumphant return as head coach of Buffalo Island Central, as his Mustangs held off the defending Class A State Champion Bay Yellowjackets 54-51 in senior boys basketball action at the Mustang Athletic Complex Tuesday night in Monette.
Junior point guard Austin Pike poured in a game high 35 points to help propel BIC in their season opening win. The Mustangs fell behind 15-12 after the first quarter but rallied to get even at 26-26 by halftime. Bay grabbed a slim 41-40 edge heading into the final frame.
BIC clung to a three point lead in the waning seconds of the fourth period but survived a last second Yellowjacket attempt at a three pointer to hold on for the win.
Tyler Myers scored seven points for the Mustangs. Jacob Sanders tallied five, Nick Bollinger netted four while Alan Carmichael chipped in three points. BIC connected on seven of 13 foul shots and drained three treys on the night.
Tyler Pritchett led Bay with 21 points while Jonathan Crain added 10. The 'Jackets hit five of 11 free throws and drilled four three pointers.
In junior high action, BIC downed Bay 49-41. Trey DePriest nailed five three pointers on his way to a 26 point performance to lead the Mustangs. Dax Hurst scored nine, Cory Turner had six, Andrew McFarlin netted five while Alex Talavera added three points.
Robert McFadden led the junior Yellowjackets with 17 points while Nolan Smith chipped in 13.
BIC improved to 3-0 on the season with a 71-48 victory over Caddo Hills in the Joe V. Jones Classic Saturday afternoon at the MAC.
Nick Bollinger pumped in 21 points to lead four Mustangs in double figures. Jacob Sanders and Alan Carmichael scored 13 apiece while Austin Pike finished with 12 points. The Mustangs held a 17-15 edge after the first quarter before stretching their lead to 35-26 at the half. BIC outscored Caddo Hills 27-9 in the third period to take a commanding 62-35 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs defeated Abundant Life 64-29 Friday behind Austin Pike's 19 points. Nick Bollinger added 11 while Jacob Sanders also hit double digits scoring 10 points.
In girls action, the Lady Mustangs defeated Abundant Life 47-26 Friday before downing Caddo Hills 36-29 Saturday afternoon.
Taylor McKuin pumped in a team high 18 points to lead BIC over Abundant Life while Megan Webster added eight.
McKuin led BIC with 12 points in the Lady Mustang's win over Caddo Hills while Hannah Poe chipped in 11.
BIC's boys will return to action Friday night when they play host to Armorel at Leachville. The Lady Mustangs will host Armorel Thursday night at the MAC.