A-J’s big rally leads to win over Sparta

Trailing 42-33 going into the final quarter, Anna-Jonesboro went on a 23-6 scoring run to defeat host Sparta 56-48 in Southern Illinois River-to-River Mississippi Division  high school boys’ basketball action Friday, Dec. 23.

The Wildcats led 14-12 after one quarter. The Bulldogs fought back to pull ahead 24-16 at the half and outscored A-J 18-17 in the third period.

Brady Wright, who had a pair of 3-pointers, led A-J with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Travis Smith added 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Noah Fuller chipped in 10 points and a rebound and Tyler Vaughn had 9 points and 2 rebounds.

Jay Kemp had 2 points and 11 rebounds. Jarid Veronesi had 2 points and 3 rebounds and Cody Garver added 2 points.

The Wildcats were 12 of 40 in shot attempts from the floor, 5 of 14 from 3-point range and 17 of 21 from the free throw line.

Sparta was 15 of 34 in shot attempts form the field, 3 of 10 from 3-point range and 9 of 12 from the charity stripe.

A-J, which improved to 4-5 overall and 1-2 in the league, plays this week in the Eldorado Holiday Tournament.