CUBA — Already seeing victories by Belle’s JV Tigers and varsity Lady Tigers, Jeff Schultz’s Belle Tigers looked to complete a Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) tripleheader sweep Saturday afternoon at Cuba High School with a victory in varsity boy’s action against the host Wildcats.

Jumping out to a 16-4 lead after one quarter, Belle had a 35-13 halftime advantage which turned into a 61-43 victory over Cuba opening GVC play on a winning note for the Tigers.

Doing most of his damage in the first half, Kelhen Struemph paced the victorious Tigers scoring 14 of his team-high 19 points over the first two quarters.

Garrett Gehlert also reached double figures scoring nine of his 14 points in the first half.

Kooper Elrod and Hank Stratman both added eight points apiece while Kaegan Kinsey scored all six of his points in the second half.

Playing in the first half before being rested with an injured ankle, Hank Willis finished with four points while Luke Rohrer capped Belle’s scoring against Cuba with two points on a second-quarter bucket.

Braden Gipson led the Wildcats and all scorers with 20 points.

Lady Tigers at Cuba

Already with wins over Steelville and Bourbon under their belts, Biance Stocks’ Belle Lady Tigers looked to wrap up an outright GVC title Saturday afternoon during pink out festivities against Cuba’s Lady Wildcats.

Escaping a rough first quarter with an 8-4 lead, Belle outscored Cuba 16-4 throughout the second quarter giving them a 24-8 halftime lead.

Able to survive a valiant comeback attempt by the host Lady Wildcats, Belle’s Lady Tigers clinched an outright GVC girls basketball title following a 39-34 victory.

Torching Newburg’s Lady Wolves for 35 points two nights earlier, Anastyn Lansford was held to 11 points by a stingy Cuba defense.

Also entering the game making her last 26 free-throw attempts dating back to the Battle in Bourbon Tournament, Lansford missed her first free-throw shot in the fourth quarter stopping her streak at 28 consecutive made free throws.

Finishing with a game-high 15 points, Ava Feeler scored nine of those in the second half keeping Belle’s lead in double digits when Cuba was able to reduce it to single digits.

Aubrey Rehmert added eight points followed by three fourth-quarter free throws from Natalie Lansford for three points and two points from Saige Garner.

Leah Schmidt paced the Lady Wildcats with 14 points.

JV Tigers at Cuba

Opening a GVC pink out tripleheader at Cuba High School, Nick Halbrook’s Belle JV Tigers faced off against the host Cuba JV Wildcats.

Jumping out to a 14-3 first-quarter lead, Belle kept growing their lead throughout the entirety of their 54-22 victory.

Cooper Guinn and Lathan Miller led the JV Tigers with 12 points apiece followed closely by eight points from David Skaggs.

Tucker Harris added seven points while Easton Schroeder finished with five points.

Brayden Gibson and Brayden Barzee both added four points while Cody Hamm rounded out the scoring with two points in the fourth quarter.