Peacock, Central win Invitational openers

Local teams picked up a pair of victories in the opening round of the Moose Jaw High School Invitational girls basketball tournament on Thursday night.

The 16-team event is currently underway at Peacock and Central and saw both the Tornadoes and Cyclones emerge with wins and advance to the tournament quarter-finals.

Peacock rolled to a 51-37 win over the Melville Cobras while Central took a 78-55 win over the Middle Lake Avengers. The Vanier Spirits didn’t have quite as much luck in their first game as they fell 70-56 to the Estevan Elecs.

The Toilers will now face the Melfort Comets in their second-round game at 7:30 p.m. Friday after Melfort defeated Lumsden 54-38. The Cyclones will take on Swift Current at 6 p.m. Friday after the Ardens battled to a 51-47 win over the Weyburn Eagles.

Vanier, meanwhile, drops to the consolation side and will take on the loser of Regina O’Neill and Prince Albert Carlton at 6 p.m. Friday.

The tournament semifinals go at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the consolation final at 6 p.m. and gold medal game at 7:30 p.m.