‘Jackets best Waynesville Tigers 51-48

The Lebanon boys basketball team won against Waynesville 51-48 Monday night. The varsity matchup followed a Lebanon junior varsity win (38-34) and was part of a double feature between the schools’ boys and girls teams.  Going into the game, Lebanon had a record of 6-16 and had lost their last match against Nixa on Friday. Waynesville had a record of 6-14 and had lost their last match against Kickapoo on Friday.  The Tigers took the first points of the period after a back and forth, but the ‘Jackets caught up to them and kept a brief lead before the battle resumed. The teams ended the period tied 14-14.  Waynesville once more took the first and last points of the second period. Turnovers, fouls, and a superior offensive helped the Tigers eclipse the brief tie in the middle of the period. The score at half time was 30-27.  Lebanon took the initiative in the third period, taking away Waynesville’s lead and making one of their own. Scoring from players #3 Blake Coffman, #4 Bristol Burtin and #32 Antwon Givens helped set the score at 43-36 by the end of the period. Despite the taunts of Waynesville’s cheering section, #11 Noah Boggs made the first point of the fourth period. Though the ‘Jackets maintained their lead, the Tigers arrived within striking distance near the end of the quarter. Despite a series of timeouts on both sides within the last seconds of the game, the ‘Jackets came out on top. Also on Monday, the Lady Yellowjackets lost against the Waynesville Lady Tigers 63-55. The Lebanon boys next play against Kickapoo on Friday and the girls against Kickapoo on Thursday.