A-J posts conference victory over Sparta

<p class="p1">Jake Parr scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead visiting Anna-Jonesboro to a 71-53 win over Sparta in Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division high school boys’ basketball Friday, Jan. 15.</p><p class="p1">Dakota Earnhart added 15 points and 4 rebounds for the Wildcats. Sheldon McGrath had 13 points and 5 rebounds. </p><p class="p1">Hunter Garver had 12 points and 4 rebounds. Garver made four 3-pointers, all in the first half.</p><p class="p1">Ryan Stark had 7 points and 5 rebounds. Garrett Nimmo had 4 points. Collin Prather had 3 points and a rebound. Wyatt Smith had a rebound.</p><p class="p1">A-J built a 20-7 first quarter lead and was ahead 40-15 at the half. The Wildcats led 57-39 after three periods.</p><p class="p1">A-J was 18 of 33 in shot attempts from the floor, 5 of 9 from 3-point range and 20 of 23 from the free throw line.</p><p class="p1">The Bulldogs were 12 of 30 in shot attempts from the floor, 7 of 17 from 3-point range and 8 of 14 from the charity stripe.</p><p class="p1">A-J improved to 10-7 overall and 2-3 in the league. The Wildcats are playing this week in the West Frankfort Tournament.</p>