Linn’s JH A team lost to St. Elizabeth on Monday 38-26.

“We didn’t come out ready to play,” said Coach Clay Crouch. “We have played sluggishly to start the last few games and that is on me as the coach. I have to find a way to get our guys ready to play. Like I told them, forget this game and move on to the next week and come out ready to play from the tip. We have to play mad and not pout or feel sorry for ourselves.”

Scoring was led by Zach Hatfield’s 13 as Noah Hall scored eight, Lucas Collins added four and Jett Maasen posted one.

In a full B game, the Wildcats lost 51-20 to the Hornets.

“This was a tough game,” said Crouch. “There were times when we didn’t play hard and that dug us a hole that was tough to climb out of. We did some good things at times. We didn’t turn it over as much in the second half, which was a positive. We just have to learn from it and move on.”

Clayton Jurd scored 14 and Tryten Collins added six. In Friday’s A game at Prairie Home, the Wildcats pulled out a 42-25 win over the Panthers.

“We started slow and looked sluggish in the first half,” said Crouch. “At half time we made some adjustments and we responded well. The second half was a much better effort on defense. Sometimes when you play on the road you have to dig deep and win a little ugly. It was a good win regardless.”

Hatfield paced the team with 17 points as Hall put in eight, Lucas Collins added seven, Britt Winslow scored six, and Maasen and Tryten Collins finished with two apiece.

On Thursday of last week, Linn had a dominant performance in the A game to defeat New Bloomfield, 51-16.

“Overall this was a good team win,” said Crouch. “We got contributions from a lot of guys which I love to see. The kids played hard and got out in transition which is what we need to do more of.”

Hall led with 14, and Maasen also reached double figures with 10, as Hatfield and Jurd each scored seven, Winslow added five, and Ty Wolfe and Tryten Collins posted two each.

In a two-quarter contest, the B team defeated New Bloomfield 22-8.

“We played hard and rebounded well,” said Crouch.

“Our rebounding allowed us to get out and score in transition which is a strength for us. Overall it was a good win and proud of the kids for their effort.”

Jurd’s nine led the way as Tryten Collins scored five, Shane Greer put in four, and Wolfe and Anthony King finished with two apiece.