Thayer, Mo. –On Friday, December 1, 2023, the Thayer Bobcats and Lady Bobcats had their home opener at Thayer High School against the Melbourne Bearkatz. The junior varsity boys won 32-29 and the varsity boys won 69-42. The Lady Bobcats fell just short, with the score being 66-53.
Interviews
After all the games were finished, the AltonMo.com team had the chance to interview some of the Bobcats players- Jacelyn Donahue, Shaylee Peterson, Easton Pitts, Rowan Spencer, Aidan Burns, Brandon Prince, Devin Harrington, and Mark Spencer- on how to get control of the tempo early on, among other things. AltonMo.com also had a chance to interview head coach Matt Pitts.
The Boys
Both the junior varsity and varsity boys played on December 1, 2023, and both teams won.
JV
For the majority of the game, the Bobcats led the entire time. Although not as aggressive as the varsity boys, the JV shows promise for the years to come. Riley White (#10 for Bobcats) contributed ten points for the Bobcats.
Varsity
The varsity boys played very well against the Bearkatz. Although for a couple minutes in the first quarter they had some mistakes, they quickly got into a rhythm and led the entire game. As the game went on, Aidan Burns (#12 for Bobcats) was making three-pointers left and right. Nearing the end of the third quarter, Devin Harrington (#3 for Bobcats) made a slam dunk to extend the lead. The score at the end of the game was 69-42, with the Bobcats winning.
Girls
This game was the Lady Bobcats season opener. Throughout the game, the Lady Bobcats made several good steals, lay-ups, and three-pointers. Joslyn Tucker (#5 for Bobcats) and Hadley Meyer (#24 for Bobcats) made fourteen and fifteen points each respectively. Although they played well, the Bobcats just couldn’t pull of a win. The final score was 66-53.
Rooting For Jayce
During the games and at the halftimes, attendees could bid on various items including a fire pit, team-signed basketballs, a Chiefs quilt, a Thayer Bobcats quilt, multiple gift cards, among other things. A benefit supper of chili, hot dogs, nachos, cookies, and a drink was also available by donation. All the money from the auction, the meal, and the gate fee will go to Jayce Haven and his family to help with medical and rehabilitation costs. Over $2,000 was raised from the entrance fee, and over $3,000 was made from the meal.
