Van Buren’s Trenton Cooley scored 31 points with seven steals enroute to a 77-43 win over the Bulldogs.
The opening period saw both teams struggling to find consistency getting to the basket as turnovers plagued the Pointers and Bulldogs. It was not until the 6:20 mark on the clock that Van Buren would put the first points on the board. Coming of football National Signing Day event, the Culver Stockton bound Senior Peyton Presson led the Bulldogs with seven points. Classmate and Northeastern State University football signee L.J. Robins had three points and Junior Jayden Garnes had two points. The score after one period saw the Bulldogs down 16-12.
The Pointers would outscore Greenwood 20-9 going into the half putting their lead to 37-21. Presson again led the scoring with five points, Robins and Senior Braden Bollman with two points each.
A sixteen point effort from the Van Buren Junior Cooley spoiled the opportunity the Bulldogs had to claw back and get close. Van Buren scored 31 points in just seven minutes getting their lead to 37. Free throws from Bollman, Garnes, and Senior Brenden Chick added six points. While baskets from Presson, Robins, and Garnes added an additional six points. Score at the end of the 3rd, 70-33.
The Bulldogs would not go quietly into the night as Junior classmates Lane Philpot and Caleb Burnette would score five points each. Van Buren beats the Bulldogs 77-43.
The Bulldogs will be at home this Friday against the Harrison Goblins. Currently Harrison sits just ahead of Greenwood in the 5A West standings. The Goblins got the better of the Bulldogs up on Crooked Creek winning 68-37.
