PRESTONSBURG - The Prestonsburg Blackcats won two out of three games played in their invitational tournament late last week. Prestonsburg defeated Menifee County 80-68 in the opening round of the tournament and turned back June Buchanan 75-65 in its final outing.

In between its wins over Menifee County and June Buchanan, Prestonsburg dropped a game to Wolfe County. Hot-shooting Wolfe County limited Prestonsburg, pulling away to defeat the Blackcats 70-47 on Friday (Dec. 28).

More on Prestonsburg’s wins over Menifee County and June Buchanan follows.

Prestonsburg 80, Menifee County 68: Four players reached double figures in the scoring column as host Prestonsburg defeated Menifee County 80-62 on Thursday in the opening round of its holiday tournament.

Freshman forward Dalton Frasure paced the Blackcats with a game-high 27 points.

Sophomore guard Jarrin Hall followed, scoring 21 points for the Blackcats.

Senior guard Bryson Williams tossed in 16 points and sophomore guard Jarredd Jarrell netted 12 for homestanding Prestonsburg.

Prestonsburg led Menifee County at the end of each quarter.

After edging Menifee County 21-19 in the opening quarter, Prestonsburg managed to stretch its lead out to a near double-digit advantage prior to intermission. The Blackcats eventually led 39-30 at halftime.

Prestonsburg was successful in a bid to extend its lead out past 10 points in the second half. The Blackcats led 62-47 at the conclusion of the third quarter.

Junior guards Aaron Foley and Blake LeMaster rounded out the Prestonsburg scoring with two points apiece.

All five Menifee County starters reached double figures and accounted for all of the Wildcats’ scoring. Senior guard Drew Swartz paced Menifee County with a team-best 18 points. Junior guard Trevor Rose and sophomore guard Mann followed, finishing with 14 points apiece.

Tyler Thacker scored 12 points and Thomas Chaney chipped in 10 for the Wildcats.

In other opening round games, East Ridge outlasted Wolfe County 52-44 and Morgan County rolled past June Buchanan 76-41.

Prestonsburg 75, June Buchanan 65: Following a lopsided loss to Wolfe County, Prestonsburg ended play in its own tournament with a hard-fought 75-65 victory over June Buchanan.

Bryson Williams paced Prestonsburg with a game-high 19 points. Accompanying Williams in double figures, Frasure added 16 points for the Blackcats.

The Crusaders owned a slim 18-16 lead over Prestonsburg at the end of the first quarter.

Prestonsburg outscored June Buchanan in each of the last three quarters.

The Blackcats led 36-21 at halftime and 56-51 at the conclusion of the third period.

Jarrin Hall narrowly missed double figures, finishing with nine points for the Blackcats.

Sophomore guard Matt Kidd led June Buchanan with a game-high 23 points. Junior guard Matthew Isom scored 17 points and freshman guard Nick Johnson netted 12 for the Crusaders.

Prestonsburg 80, Menifee County 68

Menifee County (68): Swartz 18, Rose 14, Thacker 12, Mann 14, Chaney 10.

Prestonsburg (80): Jarrell 12, Hall 21, Williams 16, Frasure 27, Foley 2, LeMaster 2.

Menifee County…..19 11 17 21-68

Prestonsburg………21 18 23 18-80

Prestonsburg 75June Buchanan 65

June Buchanan (65): Isom 17, Kidd 23, Hall 9, Johnson 12, Long 4.

Prestonsburg (75): Jarrell 6, Hall 9, Williams 19, Frasure 16, Foley 2, LeMaster 5, Spears 2, Stapelton 3.

June Buchanan……18 13 20 14-65

Prestonsburg………16 20 20 19-75