By Marcus Elliott

Sports Editor

Breakout games by a freshman and a sophomore helped keep the Cardinals’ district record unblemished this week. On Friday night, sophomore Jackson Webb led his team with 21 points and on Tuesday night freshman standout Zeylon Sabes scored 22 to lift Melissa over Leonard.

Melissa will have a bye this Friday and will travel to Prairiland on Tuesday.

Melissa 54, Leonard 49

Melissa traveled to Leonard on Tuesday night looking to stay perfect in district play. The Cardinals got a big lift from Sabes, who scored 22 points to lead Melissa to a five-point win to improve to 9-0 in district play.

The Cardinals started the game strong, building a 17-13 lead at the end of the first quarter before squandering their advantage in the second quarter. At halftime, Melissa trailed by three points.

Melissa was able to turn it around in the third quarter, erasing the deficit and taking a lead going into the final period. The Cardinals were able to hold on in the last eight minutes of the game to get the five-point victory.

Webb’s eight points was a large part of the Melissa win and Connor Bazis added seven for the Cardinals. Mason Hart and Ryan Ragon each finished the game with six.

Other Melissa scorers included: Brass Woods (4) and Malachi Davidson (1).

Melissa 48, Chisum 47

The Cardinals had to rally to get the win but they eked one out on Friday, playing host to Chisum on senior night. Jackson Webb led the way with 21 points for Melissa. Paris Chisum got an early jump on Melissa, putting the Cardinals in a position they have not often found themselves in in recent seasons – trailing. At the end of the first, Chisum was able to build a four-point advantage.

The Cardinals answered in the second quarter, erasing the deficit to knot up the contest at 23 by halftime. Chisum again took the advantage in the third quarter, however, and took a seven point lead into the fourth. Melissa was too strong, however, and rallied to get the big win in front of the home crowd. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals posted a 17-9 performance to get the narrow win.

Mason Hart had eight points in the game to help lift Melissa and Sabes finished the game with six points.

Other Melissa scorers included: Ryan Ragon 5, Connor Bazis 4, Malachi Davidson 2 and Brass Woods 2.