Yates Center opened the Wilson County Classic heading in two different directions. The Wildcat boys beat Fredonia 52-37 while the girls fell to Girard 55-43.
The boys (9-1) advance to the right side of the bracket to take on Iola while the girls (6-4) face Fredonia.
The Fredonia boys managed to keep Yates Center within 10 throughout the first three quarters with the Wildcats leading 13-7 after the first, 25-21 after the second and 33-26 after the third.
The fourth quarter saw both Yates Center and Fredonia hit just four shots but the Wildcats won at the free throw line, outshooting the Yellowjackets 11-1.
Senior Aaron King had 26 followed by 10 for senior Nolan Jones, eight for freshman Kendrick Jones, three for senior Reece Solander, two for junior Titan Smoot and one for senior Hadley Splechter.
On the girls side, despite an early 9-5 lead after the first quarter, the Lady Cats saw things slip away from higher-seeded Girard in the third quarter.
The Lady Trojans went into the third quarter up a point 21-20 before they outscored Yates Center 19-9 in the third to secure the game. A 15-14 fourth quarter in favor of Girard was an improvement but not enough to shift the tide.
Senior Allie Pringle had 13 points followed by eight for junior Madelynn Collins, seven for junior Jaylee Catron and junior Taylor Jacobs, four for freshman Morgan Collins, and two each for senior Jordan Weseloh and freshman Jacelyn Catron.
The boys will play at 6:45 today in Neodeshas north gym while the girls will play at 5 p.m. in their south gym.
