State-ranked Mustangs open season with rout of Chariton

CHARITON — Class 3A No. 11 PCM got its season off on the right foot on Friday night. The Mustangs dominated all four quarters, used a fast start to grab an early lead and cruised past Chariton, 51-16, in the season opener for both girls basketball teams.

PCM led 21-7 after the first quarter and outscored the host Chargers 11-2, 10-3 and 9-4 in the final three frames of the non-conference contest.

Libby Winters made her varsity debut and led the Mustangs with 13 points, three rebounds and six steals. Five Mustangs played in their first varsity game in the win.

Tori Lindsay added nine points, three rebounds and two assists, Kyra Naeve chipped in five points and five boards and Addison Steenhoek tallied four points, four assists and three steals.

Holly Wood posted four points, four rebounds and three steals in her varsity debut, Lila Milani collected five points and two boards and Rebecca De Vries registered four points and three rebounds.

Katelynn Fagg’s varsity debut featured three points and two rebounds, Camden Webb had four points in her debut, Bailey Wheeler swiped two steals and Kenna Grier grabbed two boards. Darbey DeRaad also made her varsity debut.

The Mustangs (1-0) shot 37.5 percent from the floor, connected on 3-of-17 from 3-point range and buried 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. They turned the ball over 13 times.

Ellie Lane led Chariton with six points and seven boards and Bailey McGee finished with six points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

PCM limited the Chargers (0-1) to 24 percent shooting from the floor. Chariton was 2-of-14 from 3 and missed all seven of its attempts from the charity stripe.