North Callaway’s Kimbley earns 150th career win

It was a large field for North Callaway on Saturday, but that meant there was plenty of opportunities for senior Lane Kimbley to hit a milestone.

Kimbley earned his 150th career win at the Versailles Invitational to add to his career that includes three state medals as he finished 4-0 at the 144-pound weight class. Collin Moore was 4-0 at 150 to add to North Callaway’s eighth-place effort out of 18 teams with 231.5 points.

Kimbley won by a first-period pinfall, second-period pinfall and a 16-14 sudden victory over Versailles’ Kane Rainey before defeating Southern Boone’s Grant Leininger by a 6-2 decision. Moore won by a first-period pinfall and two second-period pins before defeating Adrian’s Justice Vickers by a 3-1 decision. 

Eli Borcherding took fourth place at 106 after pinning Versailles’ Matthew Yang in the first period but being pinned three times. Casper Safranski was fifth at 190 after going 4-1 with two pinfalls within the first minute, a disqualification and a first-period pinfall and had just a 10-3 decision loss to Smith-Cotton’s Jerian Maupins.

North Callaway girls defense seals 48-27 win at Van-Far

The North Callaway girls were able to count on defense again while playing Van-Far.

After defeating the Lady Indians 47-36 during the Centralia Invitational last week, North Callaway won the rematch 48-27 in Vandalia, outscoring Eastern Missouri Conference foe Van-Far 18-5 in the third quarter. Van-Far didn’t score double digits in a quarter until its 13 points in the fourth.

“Defense led to the offensive side and that was the difference in the ballgame,” North Callaway head coach Andrew Klein said. 

Klein said the steals that turned into offense gave the Ladybirds (4-2, 2-0 EMO) some separation after leading 15-9 at halftime. Neither team hit too many outside shots as North Callaway had four 3-pointers and Van-Far (1-5, 0-2 EMO) knocked down two 3-pointers — compared to the seven 3-pointers hit in the first meeting.

Riley Blevins led North Callaway with 15 points and three 3-pointers, Abrielle Burgher followed with 13 points and five rebounds, and Lakyn Hartley had seven steals, five rebounds and four assists on a night all 10 Ladybirds scored. Carmen Wilburn led Van-Far with 10 points and Mylee Keller followed with eight points. 

North Callaway goes for its fourth consecutive win when it plays at conference foe Louisiana (2-3, 1-0 EMO) at 6 p.m. Thursday. Van-Far looks to break a four-game losing streak at 6 p.m. Thursday at home against conference foe Silex (2-4, 0-2 EMO).

North Callaway boys can't overcome shaky first half in 64-53 loss at Van-Far

Van-Far had its fair share of takeaways on Tuesday night against the North Callaway boys.

The Thunderbirds cut Eastern Missouri Conference foe Van-Far's lead to as low as six points in the third quarter but ultimately lost 64-53. The Indians had a 32-22 halftime lead.

"They're a very quick team," North Callaway head coach Matt Miller said. "They got a lot of turnovers in the first half."

Nikos Connaway led Van-Far (5-1, 2-0 EMO) with 27 points, and Pacey Reading followed with 16 points. For North Callaway (1-4, 1-1 EMO), Isiah Craighead had 20 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, and Sam Pezold had 16 points and three steals.

Van-Far hosts conference foe Silex (2-4, 0-2 EMO) at 8 p.m. Thursday while North Callaway has an away conference game at 7 p.m. Thursday against Louisiana (1-3, 0-1 EMO).