Russell Opens Amos Morris Classic with Sweep

Girls: Russell 59, Ellsworth 38
Boys: Russell 60, Ellsworth 47

The Russell High School girls basketball team opened play in the 2021 Amos Morris Classic basketball tournament in Russell on Monday, December 6 with a 59-38 win over Ellsworth.

The Lady Broncos led 15-8 after the first quarter and pulled away in the second period, leading 33-15 at halftime. The Lady Bearcats only scored two field goals in the third frame, Russell led 48-24 heading into the fourth quarter and the Lady Broncos cruised to the victory.

Senior Rylan Reeves tied her career-high with 25 points. She also recorded 13 rebounds. Freshman Tionna Napue followed with 10 points. Napue also scored 10 points in her RHS debut last week.

For Ellsworth, Natalie Rolfs scored 15 points and Greta Klein followed with 14 points.

Russell outrebounded Ellsworth 39 to 21 and 19 to 9 on the offensive glass.

The Lady Broncos improve to 2-0.

The Russell boys also defeated Ellsworth Monday night in the first round of the Amos Morris Classic. The Broncos won 60-47.

Russell led 13-7 after the first period, 30-21 at the half and 45-33 after three quarters. Ellsworth got to within six points of the Broncos a couple times in the third and fourth stanzas, but each time Russell was able to hold them off and pull away.

Junior Jackson Cross paced Russell with a career-high 16 points. Senior Josh Sohm scored a career-high 15 points. Junior Jace Peerman followed with 11 points. Junior Jordayn Buhrle scored nine points and recorded 15 rebounds and four blocks.

Ellsworth's Will Cravens led all scorers with 18 points.

Russell outrebounded the Bearcats 34 to 22 and 16 to 7 on the offensive boards.

The Russell boys improve to 1-0.

With their wins in the first round, the Russell girls and boys both move on to the semifinals on Thursday, December 9. The Lady Broncos will play St. John's-Tipton on Thursday at 6:30 PM. The Lady Jays defeated Plainville 56-19 on Monday. The Russell boys will play Plainville on Thursday at 8:15 PM. The Cardinals defeated St. John's-Tipton 64-60 on Monday.

Catch both Russell games on Thursday on KRSL AM 990, 98.1 FM and KRSL.com.