In a spirited evening of basketball at Churdan, the Paton-Churdan varsity teams faced off against Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton in a Rolling Valley Activities Conference doubleheader. The night showcased the resilience and determination of both the girls’ and boys’ teams, each striving for victory.
Girls’ Game Highlights
The Paton-Churdan girls’ team, under the guidance of Coach Tom Kennedy, encountered a formidable opponent in the Spartans, ultimately falling with a score of 63-20. This defeat brings their season record to 2-14, while Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton stands impressively at 16-1. Junior Alivya Smith led the scoring for Paton-Churdan with eight points, supported by freshman Edynn Smith, who contributed six points to the effort.
Despite the challenges faced, the team demonstrated grit, particularly in the second half. The Spartans, bolstered by standout performances from Jae Lynn Petersen with 18 points and Taryn Petersen with 16 points, maintained a commanding lead throughout the game.
Boys’ Game Overview
On the boys’ side, Paton-Churdan secured a hard-fought victory, improving their record to 6-11, while Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton fell to 1-14. Coach Josh Cerveny praised his players for their teamwork and resilience, noting that Trevon Keely, Phoenix Hartman, and Donovan Martin each contributed 15 points to the scoreboard. Cayden Stream added a valuable 10 points, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility.
In terms of rebounds, Keely led the charge with 12, followed closely by Martin with 10 and Stream with eight. Coach Cerveny reflected on the match, stating, “Another hard-fought win against a team that has gotten a lot better. Conovan stepped up big with Bryce Strephenson tonight, who was out with an illness. Proud of the team effort tonight.” He also acknowledged the upcoming challenges, mentioning, “We have two more tough road games this week.”
