GOSHEN — The Blanchester seventh grade boys basketball team defeated Amelia 51-40 Thursday night in the tournament opener.

The young Wildcats will face Clermont Northeastern 11:15 a.m. Saturday in the semifinal round in Goshen.

Brayden Sipple led Blanchester with 33 points, nine rebounds, six steals, four assists and two blocked shots.

Brody Rice scored 14 points and hauled in eight rebounds. Rice and Brian Miller had two assists each. Hunter Hartmann had four points and three rebounds. Hartmann, Bryce Highlander and Trenton Czaika had two steals each.