Vanoss teams off to strong start in Coleman

Dec. 15—COLEMAN — Avery Ellis didn't waste any time getting going for Vanoss against Milburn Thursday morning in the first round of the 2023 Coleman Christmas Classic.

Ellis scored 18 points in a 28-0 opening salvo by the Lady Wolves and Vanoss went on to ground the Lady Eagles 57-6.

Vanoss, ranked No. 10 in Class 2A, improved to 10-2 on the year while Milburn dropped to 3-10.

In a boys' first-round game, the Wolves bolted past Milburn 50-10. The Wolves, No. 12 in Class 2A, are now 8-4 while the Eagles landed at 0-9.

The Vanoss boys meet the Clayton-Eagletown winner at 5:30 p.m. tonight in a semifinal contest, while the Lady Wolves take on the victor between host Coleman at Mill Creek at 7 p.m. tonight.

The Asher girls' and boys' basketball teams compete in late games Thursday evening in Coleman.

GIRLS

Vanoss 57, Milburn 6

The Vanoss defense shut out Milburn in the first quarter and didn't allow any points in the entire second half during a 17-0 surge to end the game.

Vanoss led 28-0 after the opening eight minutes and the lead grew to 40-6 by halftime.

Ellis finished with 24 points after hitting one 3-pointers in the second quarter and another triple early in the third quarter. She sank 3-of-5 free throws,

Livi Ellis hit three treys for Vanoss and scored 11 points. Freshman Veah Pierce was next with six points.

Point guard Caidence Cross made her return to the Vanoss lineup from the injury list and added five points.

Milburn got two points from three different players — Kimberly Miller, Aubree McSwain and Savannah Melson.

BOYS

Vanoss 50, Milburn 10

The Wolves jumped out to a 20-4 lead and extended their advantage to 33-6 by halftime. Vanoss limited the Eagles to just four total points in the second half, including a fourth-quarter shutout.

Layne Thrower led the way for Vanoss with 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Tucker Miller followed with 11 points and Brady Johnson chipped in eight points off the bench, including two triples. Allen Esparza scored six points for the Pontotoc County Club.

Taylor Pollard scored five points for the Eagles and Kolby Elkins added four points.

Vanoss sank 4-of-8 free throws and Milburn finished 2-of-8 from the charity stripe.