Webb City opened district play with a 60-50 win over Belton at Pembroke Hill on Thursday night.

The Cardinals, leading 11-8 after the first quarter, outscored the Pirates 12-2 to start the second quarter to open a 13 point lead.  A mini Pirate rally in the last minute closed the Cardinal lead to 25-15 at the break.

In a back and forth third quarter, the Pirates closed with 6-0 run to cut the Cardinal lead to 42-39 headed to the final quarter.

Closing to one point to start the final frame, a time-out from Webb City in the opening minute triggered a defensive frenzy from the Cardinals.  A steal and layup from Omari Jackson, another steal by Barron Duda led to a basket by Holton Keith and final steal from Trae Turner was turned into a three point shot from Duda and the 7-0 run caused the Pirates to call a time-out of their own, now down 49-41.  In the next 30 seconds, another steal from Eli Pace and back to back buckets from Keith forced the Pirates into calling another time-out, facing a 53-41 deficit and only 4 minutes left in the game.

The Cardinals never let the Pirates to get any closer than seven points and finished with a 60-50 win.

Holton Keith scored a career-best 26 points to lead the Cardinal scoring.  Barron Duda added 17.  Omari Jackson grabbed a team leading 7 rebounds to go with 8 points and 4 assists.  Eli Pace handed out 8 assists.