The Blanchester eighth grade boys basketball team defeated Goshen 53-40 Monday night.

Trenton Czaika scored eight points in the first 66 seconds of the game to get the young Wildcats off to a roaring start, coach Brad Ballinger said. But Goshen battled to within two late in the first half.

Blanchester (11-3 on the year) closed the half with a flourish. It started with Kyle Hopkins steal and layup. Hopkins then assisted on Hunter Hartmann’s three-pointer. Brayden Sipple then dropped in six straight free throws as part of an 11-2 run that gave Blanchester a double digit lead at the half.

Sipple finished with 24 points (12 for 13 at the free throw line), 13 rebounds, five steals and two assists.

Czaika had 13 points and five steals. Hartmann had seven points while Hopkins and Bryce Highlander scored four points each. Hopkins had two assists and three steals. Logan Heitzman had a point and two assists. Brody Rice grabbed five rebounds.