Cardinals Out-Duel Bulldogs, 66-32

WAITSBURG – The WP boys cruised to a 66-32 victory over Dayton in the regular-season-ending game for both teams Saturday in Waitsburg. With the win, the Cardinals finished in third place, with a 6-4 Southeast 2B District 9 league record (12-6 overall). They enter the league tournament here this weekend with the #3 seed.

WP took advantage of 23 first-half turnovers by the Bulldogs to build a 33-13 halftime lead. The lone bright spot for Dayton was their aggressive play at the hoop, creating five more points from the line than the Cardinals. The team was 12 for 23 (52%) from the free throw line, getting points from Derek McCleary, Ian Smay, Matthew Warren, Zane Patton, Tanner Bren and Zach Waggoner.

WP was lead by Travis Crockett and Owen Lanning who each had 16 points. Kaimen Suffia had 14 points off the bench. The Cardinals were hot from the outside, sinking seven three-point shots, including two each by Crockett and Lanning.

Dayton was lead by Zach Waggoner's and Derek McCleary's seven points and Ian Smay's six points. McCleary and Waggoner each hit a trey.

In the second quarter, Dayton's Ben Kleck reaggrevated an injury to his right knee, halting play for more than 30 minutes. Kleck was carted off the floor and taken to an ambulance where he received treatment and later joined his team for food and refreshments.