The Boone Central Cardinals have had some tough sailing in 2021-22.
Just prior to the holiday break, Boone – playing a brutal trio of opponents with a cumulative 27-2 record – lost three straight contests by margins of 18, 19 and 19 points. The Cardinals then dropped a 49-47 heartwrencher to Adams Central in the final of the Boone Central holiday tournament.
Facing another exhausting stretch, Boone rediscovered its ballast this past week and righted the ship by winning two-of-three games against top Mid-State Conference foes.
Boone Central 54, Pierce 46
Boone Central and Pierce renewed one of the Mid-State’s fiercest rivalries Tuesday, Jan. 4, and scrapped out a 54-46 road victory.
A pair of 3-point buckets by Alex Christo helped the Cardinals pull away from a 13-13 tie and lead 29-24 at intermission. Christo and Carsten Bird knocked down treys to keep the advantage at five in the third period and, as the Card defense limited Pierce (5-6) in the fourth quarter, Garrett Rasmussen sank 4-of-6 free throws to help seal the win.
Boone Central 65, O’Neill 54
Back on the road Friday for a long trip to O’Neill, Boone Central defeated the Eagles 65-54, securing a second straight important conference W.
The Cardinals parlayed a huge offensive first half by Christo – five 3-pointers and 21 points – and hardnosed defense into a 31-24 halftime lead. Boone then held O’Neill (7-2) to just six points in the third period, stretching the advantage to 43-33, and rode Dustin Andreasen’s 7-of-9 free throws and eight points from Patzel to the victory.
Wayne 56, Boone Central 43
Weary?
You could hardly blame the Cardinals if that were the case.
Following a strong first half Saturday, Boone Central wilted in the final two quarters and dropped a 56-43 Mid-State decision to visiting Wayne (11-1). Trailing by just a point at intermission (26-25), the Cards were outscored 12-4 in the third period and could not recover.
Further details in Print & Online editions of Albion News/Boone County Tribune
