Cagers Roll Past Westside
January 16, 2026
The Cagers avenged an earlier season loss to Westside Christian Academy(WCA) in stylistic fashion with a 51-36 win in the confines of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. It started right at the tip as Quintin Steiner tapped the ball to Luke Kinser who raced to the rim and put the hosts up 2-0. That burst seemed to get the Cagers going and they never looked back. A defensive stop and the Cagers went right back to work. A few passes around the horn and a beautiful pick and roll resulted in a layup. But it wouldn’t stop there. Quintin Steiner added a bucket down low. Breven Bullard would nail a jumper. Jacob Bricker had a rebound and put back for two. And Logan Winans buried a long 3 from the left wing. By that time the Cagers were up 13-5 at the end of the first period. As good as the offense was, defensively is where this bunch has really showed improvement. They moved quickly to the ball, shut down the passing lanes, and limited WCA to very few second chance opportunities much to the delight of bench boss Doug Hamsher. “We have really improved on the defensive side of the ball. The guys are really starting to get the concept of doing your job and trusting their teammates to do theirs. It’s been a fun progression.”
The second quarter was much the same. A stifling defense and an offense that looked like it was clicking on all cylinders kept the Cager crowed enthused about the play on the court. The Cagers took complete command and stretched the lead to double digits on a Kinser drive and finish at the rim. Winans would again find paydirt from beyond the arc on a super smooth catch and shoot opportunity. But the highlight of the half happened when Kinser took his man to the rim, but the defense rotated and at the last minute he put a dime on the floor to Conner Henderson who laid it up for a 2. The unselfish act epitomized the Cagers play. At the end of the half it was the Cagers 24 and WCA 9.
The first half was pretty good, but the 3rd quarter was even better! The Cagers had found their offensive groove, and it had the Cager faithful clapping till their hands hurt. First it was QJ Anderson, who had been quiet most of the night so far. He buried a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc. The defense forced a turnover and the outlet pass found Winans streaking down the court for a lay in. Kinser added a drive for 2. Then it was Anderson’s time to shine. The 6-1 senior stepped into a 3 and nailed it. Two possessions later the Cagers found the hot man and Anderson lifted it in the air and SWISH! His third bomb in the period! “QJ had tremendous quarter. That was fun to watch,” said Hamsher. When the dust settled and the quarter ended the Cagers were up 43-21.
Westside would make a little run in the 4th, but Kinser’s stellar play put a stop to that as he fired in six points along with several rebounds and steals. “Luke is our motor. He is relentless at both ends and sets the tone every night. The 15-point win was just what the doctor ordered for the Cagers going into the second half of their season. They have got a tough stretch of games looming and wining this one helps. Let’s hope the defense stays locked down and the offense stays hot." For the game the Cagers put three guys in double figures. Kinser had a game high 20 followed by Anderson with 11 and Winans had 10. Steiner had 4. Bricker, Bullard, and Henderson all chipped in a bucket to round out the scoring. The Dravenstott’s Big D Player of the Game went to Logan Winans.
