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The West Stanly men’s basketball team entered its game versus Anson County with first place in the Rocky River Conference on the line between two teams with 3-0 conference records. West entered the game ranked sixth in the state in 2A by MaxPreps with Anson ranked 11th.

West Stanly started slow offensively in the first half but used a solid defensive effort to earn a 71-37 win over the Bearcats (3-1, 3-1 RRC).

Anson was without starter Lance Shuler who was injured for the game.

Jake Bartell led West (6-0, 4-0 RRC) with 22 in the game and has been good inside the paint for the Colts, according to head coach John Thompson.

“(Jake) is one of the toughest players I’ve ever coached,” Thompson said. “He doesn’t care about scoring; he just wants to win.”

Senior Austin Medlin had a big night for West with 17 points, including a steal and breakaway two-handed dunk with two minutes left in the third.

Despite getting out to a 14-6 lead over the first six minutes of the game, West’s lead grew to just 11 at halftime, 28-17. The Colts’ offense improved in the second half as West outscored Anson 22-11 in the third period and 20-9 in the final period.

West Stanly travels to rival Mount Pleasant Tuesday.