KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Putnam City North opened the Family First Hoops Classic with a 78-52 win over Blue Valley North (Kan.) Friday (Dec. 19).

While the Panthers piled on the points, North coach DJ Lemons was focused on defending.

“Our defense was back to where we want it for the moment,” Lemons said via text. “We just had to get back to the basics: guarding the ball, rotating on defense, pick-and-roll coverage, positioning, scramble defense, I can go down the line. I thought we had it at a high level tonight.”

Senior Mekhi Thomas led North with 14 points. Thomas sank four 3-pointers, including two treys in the fourth quarter in a 23-6 run over the Mustangs.

“I loved how aggressive (Thomas) was, it changes the whole dynamic of our team. I think he’s due for a record breaking three pointers made this season,” Lemons said.

Sophomore Devion Gillispie added 11 points. Fellow sophomore CJ Heskett also scored 11 points, draining three 3-pointers.

In all, the Panthers scored 12 treys in the win.

UP NEXT

North faces Ray-Pec (Mo.) Saturday at 6 p.m. at Staley High School.

Ray-Pec, which stands for Raymore, Missouri and Peculiar, Missouri and is southeast of Kansas City. Their mascot is also the Panthers and they’re in Class 6 in Missouri (similar to 6A)

	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City North (10-1)	19	15	21	23	78
Blue Valley North (Kan.) (2-3)	12	13	21	6	52