Wolves hold off Marshfield. (Rebroadcast Available)

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Reeds Spring used a physical, aggressive style to get past visiting Marshfield High School’s Blue Jays 73-68 in the Central Ozark Conference opener for both teams Friday night.

The Wolves improved to 8-3 on the season with the win. Marshfield fell to 8-4.

Reeds Spring used a marked size advantage to grab a 15-5 lead in the opening minutes. The Wolves have six players over 6-3, including a pair of 6-6 forwards. Marshfield has only one varsity player over 6-0 tall.

But the Blue Jays rallied behind a remarkable first quarter by senior guard Kelby Phelps. The 5-10 point guard scored 15 points in the opening period, knocking down a pair of treys, four 2-point field goals and the only free throw he tried in the first 8 minutes. Phelps missed only one shot in the first period, which ended with Marshfield on top 17-16.

Reeds Spring went inside to reserves Cory Davis, a 6-4 junior, and Chris Jones, a 6-6 sophomore, to regain the lead. The duo combined for 15 points in the second period, which ended with Reeds Spring on top 37-32. Marshfield stayed close because of a big second period from Cameron Keenan. The 5-9 junior guard scored 10 points without missing a shot in the stanza, hitting a pair of treys and a pair of free throws.

The Blue Jays stayed close in the third period, getting another trey from Phelps and 5 points from senior Nathan VanDiggelen in the stanza. Reeds Spring led 52-46 entering the final period, and got a pair of quick baskets from 6-6 junior Jake Marty to grab a double digit lead.

Marshfield fought back with 8 points from senior Justin Drane, 7 points from senior Justin Jones and a key trey from Cameron Keenan, cutting the Reeds Spring to just 2 points on multiple occasions.

Reeds Spring hit 12-of-17 free throws in the final period, and got 9 points from Davis to hold on for the win. Davis finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists to lead the Wolves. Davis hit 98-of-12 field goals, including the only trey he tried, and all 6 free throws he tried in the game.

Phelps led Marshfield scorers with 23 points, hitting 9-of-18 field goals, including 4-of-9 treys with 4 rebounds, a steal and an assist in the contest.

Keenan added 13 points to the Blue Jays attack, hitting 9-of-18 field goals with 4 rebounds, a steal and an assist. Keenan hit 3-of-6 treys in the contest.

Justin Jones finished with 11 points, hitting 4-of-6 field goals and 3-of-4 free throws with 4 rebounds, a steal and an assist in the game.

Justin Drane added 8 points and a team-high 8 rebounds with 2 assists and a steal to the Jays attack.

Alex Bartow sparked a Marshfield defense with 4 steals, scoring 6 points with 2 rebounds in the contest.

Nathan VanDiggelen added 5 points, 6 rebounds and an assist to the Blue Jays effort.

Marshfield junior Charlie Williams was a force inside, blocking 6 shots in the game, scoring 2 points and grabbing 5 rebounds.

Derek Welch had a steal for Marshfield.

Marty finished with 16 points, 3 blocked shots and 7 rebounds for the Wolves.

Owen Allphin, a 6-4 senior, finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds and an assist for Reeds Spring.

Jones added 6 points, 5 rebounds and an assist to the winning attack.

Dustin Besperat also scored 6 points for the Wolves with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal, and David Selby added 5 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds to the Wolves effort.