BUFFALO – Pleasanton wasn’t very pleasant … at least for the Altoona-Midway High School basketball teams.
Playing their fifth game in eight nights, both AMHS squads fell to their counterparts from Pleasanton High School in Three Rivers League action here Tuesday night.
The Blu-Jays notched a 55-21 victory in the boys’ game, while the Pleasanton girls left Milo Peterson Gymnasium following a 33-14 triumph.
Both Altoona-Midway varsity units are 1-6 overall. AMHS will close first-semester action Friday, Dec. 19, with a road trip to Richmond to face Central Heights, a 2A school.
AMHS BOYS
Lack of offensive production again hurt Altoona-Midway in Pleasanton’s 55-21 win in the boys’ game. It was the fifth time in seven outings that the Jets have managed 27 points or fewer.
“We once again struggled to take care of the ball, committing 22 turnovers. We dribbled into traffic too often and had too many bad passes,” said Jet head coach Dave Vance. “But I was very proud of the boys for their effort in this game. Despite being down quite a bit, they kept playing with heart and never gave up.”
Pleasanton led 19-5 after one period and 32-8 at halftime. The Blu-Jays’ advantage was 46-19 entering the final quarter.
“Pleasanton is a very good pleasant basketball team,” Vance said. “They had a very balanced attack throughout the game, and of course, a nice full court press to begin the game with.
“This was our fifth game in eight days, so I think we’re just a little bit weary also,” he added. “Not to mention everyone fighting off congestion and colds at this time.
And we have another tough game on Friday as we travel to Central Heights.”
Kage Beck rattled the nets for 13 points to pace Altoona-Midway, while Chance Carter netted six and Chance Mustain two.
Carter grabbed six rebounds while Mustain finished with three steals and two assists.
Pleasanton (4-1) was led by Staton with 13, Bustillos with 12, and Davis with 11.
AMHS GIRLS
The Lady Blu-Jays snapped a threegame losing streak with their 33-14 victory over AMHS, but not before the Lady Jets put up a fight early.
The game was knotted 4-4 at the end of one quarter. Pleasanton used a 14-4 advantage in the second stanza to take an 18-8 lead into halftime. The Lady Jays increased that margin to 25-10 after three periods, and finished things off with an 8-4 spread over the final eight minutes.
“The girls played hard and kept a good attitude,” noted Altoona-Midway girls’ coach Jessica Porter. “We were in it for a while, and then just fell behind. “Overall, we played pretty good defense. We just have trouble getting points on the board.
“But I have no complains about our effort,” Porter added.
Mika Parsons finished with six points to lead the Lady Jets offensively, while Jasa Pankaskie tallied four and Brooklynn Collins and Keyleigh Clines chipped in two apiece.
Pleasanton (2-3) was led by Bantista, who scored 13 points. Umphenour canned a pair of first-half treys and added eight for the Blu-Jays.
