CHERRY TWP — For every punch Karns City threw, Moniteau countered.

The Warriors built a 10-point lead seven minutes into the game, only to see the Gremlins pull even at 43 on consecutive 3-pointers by Jacob Friel and Ian McElroy late in the third quarter of their KSAC boys basketball game Wednesday night.

But Karns City never took the lead as Moniteau (12-8) battled its way to a 65-59 victory. The win was the Warriors' fifth in a row.

“There were times we could have faded tonight, but we never did. Neither did they,” Moniteau coach Jerry Day said. “This was a good high school basketball game.”

The Gremlins (13-6) sank 14 of 17 free throws. Moniteau did the same. Both teams had 26 rebounds. Ian McElroy scored 24 points for KC. Lake Pry did the same for the Warriors.

Moniteau took the lead for good on a Jared Lominski layup with two minutes left in the third quarter. Josh Adamson followed with a baseline jumper. A Lominski layup before the buzzer gave the Warriors a 51-45 lead entering the fourth period.

Still, Karns City wouldn't go away.

“I thought we played well,” KC coach Chris Bellis said. “But we didn't get as any points inside as I thought we should have.

“We had an advantage in size, but didn't take advantage if it. We missed a lot of layups.”

Regardless, a trey by McElroy pulled the Gremlins within 57-56 with 2:27 left.

Pry answered with a layup, then sank a free throw for a 60-56 lead with 1:39 to go. A Lominski layup with 29 seconds left increased the lead to 62-57 and finally iced the win.

“We're playing with confidence right now and it's showing,” Day said. “We were under the radar all summer. Nobody expected much out of us this year.

“To go from six wins last year to 12 this year, with only one starter back, is a pretty big accomplishment for these kids.”

Pry scored 15 points in the first half, forcing Bellis to employ a “junk” defense in the third quarter. That limited Pry to a single field goal in the period.

His teammates responded by hitting nine of 11 shots in the third quarter, including four treys, to maintain a slim lead.

“They had other kids step up and hit some big shots,” Bellis said. “That was a big part of this game.”

Warrior point guard Jake Jewart hit a pair of 3's during that third quarter.

“We can recognize when Lake is being taken way,” Jewart said of Moniteau's offense. “That type of defense leaves us with open shots.

“We still look to try to get him the ball because Lake's that good of a player.”

Pry had 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Moniteau. Jewart added 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Lominski came off the bench to contribute 12 points and five boards.

“We were ready for a junk defense on Lake. We were expecting it and were prepared for it,” Day said. “A few teams have been doing that to us.

“Jake had an outstanding game. He's become one of the best point guards in the league.”

McElroy's 24 points paced the Gremlins. He had five rebounds as well. Chandler Turner had 15 points and nine rebounds, Noah Pollock 10 points and five assists.

“Ian has become a very solid offensive player,” Bellis said. “He's been consistent for us. We were able to force some mistakes late. We didn't turn them into enough points.”

Moniteau had five turnovers in the fourtth period. Karns City had just three turnovers over the final three periods.

“They put the pressure on us,” Day admitted. “It could have rattled us, but we stayed with it.”

KARNS CITY 59

Noah Pollock 2-11 5-6 10, Noah Kepple 0-5 0-0 0, Ian McElroy 8-14 5-5 24, Jacob Friel 1-2 1-2 4, Eric Dodd 2-6 0-0 4, Jimmy Thompson 1-3 0-0 2, Chandler Turner 6-12 3-4 15. Totals: 20-53 14-167 59.

MONITEAU 65

Lake Pry 8-13 8-10 24, Jake Jewart 4-8 2-2 13, Ethan McDeavitt 1-6 0-0 3, Josh Adamson 3-6 0-0 7, Jared Lominski 5-6 2-2 12, Ross Tenney 2-2 2-3 6. Totals: 23-42 14-17 65.

Karns City 11 14 20 14 — 59

Moniteau18 11 22 14 — 65

3-point goals: Pollock, McElroy 3, Friel; Jewart 3, McDeavitt, Adamson

JV: Karns City, 43-24 (KC: Austin Fahlor 20, Ethan McElroy 10; M: Jared Lominski 7)

Friday: A-C Valley at Karns City, Moniteau at Redbank Valley