From staff reports

BUCHANAN – It was over all too quickly.

Visiting St. Joseph proved why it is the favorite to win the Class B district championship next month as it defeated Buchanan 72-39 in girls’ basketball action.

The Bears outscored the Bucks 23-6 in the opening quarter and then cruised to the victory.

St. Joseph took a 34-15 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Kaitlin Mavis led all scorers with 17 points, while the Bears also got 12 points from Christina Valentine.

Elizabeth Hein scored 11 to top the Bucks’ scorers. Chelsea Adolph added 10.
The Bucks are back in action on Tuesday night when they take on host Lawrence in a non-conference contest.

Buchanan is on the road until Feb. 11 when it faces Bridgman in a Lakeland Conference clash.

ST. JOSEPH 72
Alesya Schalk 5; Christina Valentine 12; LeAnne Priebe 3; Lindsay Peirce 5; Kaitlin Mavis 17; Courtney Caid 1; Sydney Weisser 6; Jasmine Williams 9; Erika Priebe 9; Hayley Knuth 5. TOTALS: 25 16-26 72
BUCHANAN 39
Jordan Helt 2; Nicole Rutherford 0; Elizabeth Hein 11; Chelsea Adolph 10; Amanda Wynn 3; Julie LaBounty 2; Courtney Adolph 4; Krystal Avance 2; Erin Glavin 4; Amanda Anglero 1. TOTALS: 17 4-10 39

St. Joseph 23 34 52 72
Buchanan 6 15 32 39
3-point baskets: St. Joseph 6 (Schalk, Valentine 2, Peirce, Mavis, E. Priebe), Buchanan 1 (Wynn). Total fouls: Buchanan 19, St. Joseph 13. Fouled out: None. Varsity records: St. Joseph 9-2; Buchanan 2-9. JV score: St. Joseph 44, Buchanan 19