Lions Beat Melstone In First Round

The game became tight in the final minutes, but Lustre Christian’s boys’ basketball team downed Melstone, 5144, in the opening round of the Class C state tournament on Wednesday, March 6.

To earn their first ever state tournament win, the Lions exploded for 11 straight points during a streak in the third period to take a 33-23 advantage. Two three-pointers and a dunk by Johnslee Pierre highlighted the streak. Byron Ewing added a free throw.

Melstone’s Tucker Keller hit a three-pointer to cut the margin to 37-30, but two hoops by Pierre, including a dunk, put the score at 41-30 to end the third quarter.

Pierre, a 6-5 sophomore, opened the fourth quarter with a basket off a rebound to increase Lustre’s advantage to 43-30.

The Lions, however, then struggled offensively, and another three-pointer by Keller closed the margin to 43-40 with still 3:58 to play.

Lustre responded with a basket by Byron Ewing off a pass from Pierre. The Broncs came as close as 45-43 when Keller hit a free throw with 2:01 remaining.

After a turnover by Melstone, Pierre made a layup with 1:19 remaining. Cam Reddig, a freshman, connected on a three-pointer to put the Lions ahead 50-43 with 37 seconds left. He then added a free throw to put the game away with 15 seconds left.

Pierre led the Lions with 30 points. Cam Reddig accounted for 10 points. Also scoring were Terran Joseph with five, Ewing with five and Clay Reddig with one point.

Ewing grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lions. Clay Reddig dished out seven assists.

Top scorers for Melstone were Nolan Kamorman with 18 and Keller with 12 points.

Lustre scored the last four points of the first quarter on a drive by Cam Reddig and a basket by Pierre off a pass from Cayden Klatt for a 12-8 advantage.

Pierre connected on a 12-footer and a three-pointer to put Lustre ahead 19-14 midway into the second quarter.

With the score at 21-18, Pierre hit a three-pointer to end the first half at 24-18.