Monday’s opening games in the boys 7-8 grade boys basketball preseason tournament put two of the league’s premier scorers on display. Lex Winfree and Anden Green didn’t disappoint either.

Winfree had 25 points and countless rebounds while pushing his Eastside Bulldogs to a 42-28 win over Centertown, while Green outscored Boyd on his own in Irving College’s 58-22 victory. Green set the bar high for elementary scoring this year, pouring in 32 points Monday.

Dreams of elementary domination for the Bulldogs will likely rest on the sturdy shoulders of Winfree this winter. The power behind the Eastside attack in the post has added a perimeter game this year and his ability to step out and attack made him impossible to stop in the quarterfinals.

Winfree had the whole offensive arsenal working early against Centertown. He established position in the paint for layups, faced up and drove for floaters and occasionally launched from deep as well. His 3-pointer midway through the third quarter helped Eastside build a double-digit lead against the Warriors, who were feisty in defeat.

Abdallah Kanakrieh had eight points for Centertown, as did Ryder Gilispie as his length on the wing proved to be a difficult matchup for the Bulldogs. Ryan Romzek added four points and played a large part in Centertown’s defensive plan to try to limit Winfree.

As Winfree started to draw double teams, Eastside was able to hit enough shots outside to keep the Warriors honest. Jackson Gunter had a pair of triples, including one in the final minutes that was the nail in the coffin on any Centertown comeback attempt.

Carter Holt added five points for the Bulldogs and hit a 3-pointer in the first quarter.

In Monday’s nightcap, Green put on a scoring clinic to lead the Tigers past the Broncos. 

Armed with a devastating first step, lightning-quick hands atop the Irving College press and an evolving midrange game, Green was unstoppable from the opening tip. He poured in 16 points in the first quarter as Irving College built a 24-2 lead.