Argonia’s Kolton Koerner gets pressure from Ashland defenders.

by James Jordan, Sumner Newscow — Attica blew past Caldwell 67-42, and Ashland nipped Argonia 45-39 Thursday in the semifinals of the a Class 1A District tournament in Caldwell. Attica will face Ashland in the finals Saturday. Girls’ semifinals are sets for Friday night. On the girls side, Attica and Cunningham play at 6 Friday, followed by Caldwell and Norwich at 7:30. The Girls finals are at 6 Saturday, followed by the boys at 7:30.

Here is a wrap up of the two games Thursday in Caldwell.

Attica 67, Caldwell 42

It was the Devon Newberry show in the first half of this game, as Attica took a 20-6 lead at the end of one quarter and never looked back. Newberry scored 22 of his 28 points in the first half.  He had 12 in the first quarter and hit four 3-pointers in the first half. Attica had a total of six in the first half and led 40-17 at intermission.

Attica was shooting very well, and their tight defenses didn’t let Caldwell have many shots.

The teams traded baskets in the second half.

For Attica Jacob Norris scored 17 and Brady Ricke added eight.

Colten Ward led Caldwell with 17, and he started each half with a 3-pointer. Dilyn Volavka scored 10 for Caldwell and Jalen Risley had eight.

Caldwell closes its season at 12-9 and Attica moves on at 19-2.

Argonia’s Evan Dolley gets an inside layup during battle against Ashland.

Ashland 45, Argonia 39

Ashland scored eight unanswered points in the final minute and a half to win this back and forth game that saw a lot of lead changes. Argonia led 39-37 when Ashland’s Michael White converted a three-point play to put his team in front 40-39.

In the final minute, Caldwell had turnovers, and missed shots which Ashland rebounded. Down the stretch the Ashland Blue Jays hit five of six free throws to get the final margin..

Ashland led 11-8 after one quarter, but Argonia stormed back. The Raiders ended the second quarter on a 6-0 run to erase a five-point deficit and led 18-17 at the half.

Argonia seemed to take over in the third quarter, The Raiders went on a 10-2 run to end the third with a 30-23 lead.

That is when Ashland took over. The Blue Jays started hitting shots it had been missing, and began to utilize its size advantage under the basket more.  Ashland rallied and a 3-pointer by Nathan Reimer tied the game at 35 with 2:32 left.

Kolton Koerner led Argonia with 12 and Jason Hess scored nine. Kole Konrade led Ashland with 12.

Argonia ends its season at 14-7 and Ashland is now 14-6.

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