The Blanchester eighth grade boys basketball started fast and finished strong in a 53-39 win over Batavia Monday night.

The Wildcats, 8-2 on the year, outscored the Bulldogs 23-9 in the first period.

Brayden Sipple had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals for Blanchester.

Brody Rice, who returned to action following an injury, coach Brad Ballinger said, had 6 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.

Logan Heitzman had 10 points and Trenton Czaika had 6 points and 2 assists. Bryce Highland had 4 points and 2 assists. Colton Wilson and Hunter Hartmann had 2 points each. Kyle Hopkins had 2 points, 2 assists and 3 steals. Javen Meadows rounded out the scoring with a free throw.