Poplar Boys Open With Victory Over Harlem

Poplar’s boys’ basketball squad upset Harlem, 66-55, in the opening round of the District 2B tournament in Glasgow on Wednesday.

The Indians, the sixth seed of the tourney, gained a 19-13 lead in the first quarter and then outscored the Wildcats by a 16-4 margin during the second period.

Early in the second quarter, four points by Kaniel Ricker and a basket by Keilen Erickson off a fantastic pass from Walker Burshia put the Indians ahead 25-14.

Dane Moran then connected on a three-pointer and Erickson scored off a pass from Ricker for a 16-point lead.

Poplar ended the half on another basket by Erickson and a three-pointer by Ricker for a 35-17 lead.

Harlem struck for 19 points in the third quarter to cut the margin to 49-36. The Indians led by as many as 20 points in the period.

The Wildcats fought back to come as close as one point during the fourth quarter. Poplar’s Blake Lambert then came up big with a threepoint shot and taking a charge.

After Harlem pulled to two points, the Indians put the game away on free throws by Ricker and a basket by Lambert.