Steelville High School’s boys’ basketball team returned to action on Jan. 31 against Cuba after its scheduled Jan. 27 game versus Salem was postponed due to the inclement weather.

The Cardinals handled the Wildcats for their first Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) win of the season, which is detailed below. Steelville is now 8-10 on the season, and will play three straight games against teams with at least a .500 record, starting with a matchup on Feb. 3 in Union, which will be detailed in next week’s edition. The Cardinals will then play in Kingston on Feb. 5 and will host Belle on Feb. 10. Steelville’s game against Salem is rescheduled for Feb. 12 and its original Feb. 6 home game versus Bourbon will now take place on Feb. 13.

Jan. 31 vs. Cuba

Steelville took on local rival Cuba in the fourth game of a quadruple-header that afternoon between the Cardinals and the Wildcats including JV games. The Cardinals looked eager to get back to action after a week layoff and jumped out to an early lead. Jackson Woods came out of the gates scorching hot, burying four shots from downtown and two free throws for 14 first-quarter points; single-handedly outscoring the Wildcats in the frame. The Cardinals led 18-6 after the first quarter, but the Wildcats fought back in the second period to get back into striking distance and Steelville went into halftime up 28-19.

The Cardinals had a slight advantage in the third quarter, and grew its nine-point lead to 12 going into the final frame. The fourth quarter was all Steelville, who grew its lead to 20 before Cuba head coach DJ Dace emptied his bench with three minutes remaining. Steelville’s bench kept its foot on the gas and the Cardinals dominated the final frame with a 23-8 advantage to walk away with a 60-33 victory.

Nine Cardinals scored baskets, led by Woods, who netted with a game-high 17 points. Nate Gambill drained three shots from deep, a midrange jumper and all four of his free throw attempts to finish with 15 points. Hunter Starbeck made three baskets in the paint and a trio of free throws to end the day with nine points. Malakai Bruno, Chace Grayson and Trentin Garrison scored four points apiece, Trey Gambill added three and Will Bailey and Blaze Alexander each chipped in two points. Braden Gipson led Cuba with 11 points. 

Steelville’s junior varsity team trounced Cuba 55-15 in the first matchup of the day. Silas Evans scored 13 and Lane West added 11 points to lead the Cardinals.