The Smith-Cotton Junior High eighth-grade boys basketball team controlled the tempo and the backboards in posting a 60-35 victory on Tuesday night over visiting Bueker Middle School, of Marshall.
Keoni Hale carried the Tigers to a 21-8 first-quarter lead, scoring nine points in the frame. Coach Ashley Young used his bench liberally in the second quarter as the Tigers (9-1) extended their lead to 35-19 at the half.
