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Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Low 46F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated: December 27, 2024 @ 5:08 am
Monticello senior Gatsby Grant drives to the basket during the Sages’ game against Oakwood on Thursday night at the Sievers Center as part of the Holiday Hoopla in Monticello. Grant and the host Sages rallied for a 64-52 win against the Comets.
Sports Editor
Monticello senior Gatsby Grant drives to the basket during the Sages’ game against Oakwood on Thursday night at the Sievers Center as part of the Holiday Hoopla in Monticello. Grant and the host Sages rallied for a 64-52 win against the Comets.
Centralia Holiday Tournament
➜ Champaign Central 60, Harding (Tenn.) 52. The Maroons started their trip to southern Illinois with a first-round win late Thursday night. Cayden Love scored a team-high 16 points for Central, which led 27-21 at halftime but only took a 42-41 lead into the fourth quarter. Chris Bush and Luke Swanson each added 13 points to join Love in double figures as Central (7-4) advances to play the host Orphans at 7:45 p.m. Friday in a quarterfinal game.
Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic
At Effingham
➜ Unity 75, Lutheran North (Mo.) 70. Unity opened the tournament in dramatic style, needing overtime to come through with a win after the Rockets went into the fourth quarter ahead 44-37. Mason O’Neill scored a game-high 20 points to lead Unity (4-3), which returns to the court at noon on Friday against Lincoln-Way East in a quarterfinal game in Effingham. Tre Hoggard (15 points), Coleton Langendorf (12 points) and Brady Parr (10 points) also hit double figures for the Rockets in the win.
At Teutopolis
➜ Centennial 83, Belvidere 34. Centennial snapped a four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, taking a 29-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and keeping the pressure on the Bucs the rest of the first-round game. Kayden Peat and Sherrod Clark each scored 19 points for the Chargers (4-6), who will square off against Teutopolis at 1:30 p.m. Friday in a quarterfinal game. JJ Lewandowski was also solid for Centennial with 16 points.
Pontiac Holiday Tournament
➜ Benet 70, Danville 36. Danville only trailed 15-13 at the end of the first quarter in its first-round game before the Redwings ran away from the Vikings, outscoring Danvile 42-17 in the middle two quarters. Amir Beasley and C.L. Dye each scored eight points for Danville (3-8), which will face West Aurora at 8 a.m. Friday in a consolation quarterfinal game.
Poplar Bluff (Mo.) ShowDown
➜ Poplar Bluff (Mo.) 57, Urbana 53. Urbana held a 36-29 lead to start the fourth quarter, but the Tigers could not maintain their advantage during the final eight minutes and dropped their tournament opener in southern Missouri. Kyree Hillsman scored a team-high 18 points for Urbana (3-5), with Jaylen McElmurry adding 17 points and Jesse Mfwamba contributing nine points.
Kankakee Holiday Tournament
➜ Rantoul 57, Fenger 39. Rantoul used a strong second half to get past the Titans in a first-round game. DJ Davis sparked the Eagles (5-6) to the win by scoring a game-high 19 points and making 7 of 12 shots from the field. Justin Merrill joined Davis in double figures for Rantoul with 10 points and added six rebounds, helping the Eagles increase a 20-18 halftime lead to 40-26 by the start of the fourth quarter. Eli Reichenbach (nine points) and Jayden Rice (eight points, four assists) also chipped in for Rantoul.
State Farm Holiday Classic Large Schools
➜ Sacred Heart-Griffin 93, Mahomet-Seymour 89. In an epic first-round game to cap the first day of the tournament late Thursday night at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, the Bulldogs fell in double overtime against the Cyclones, with the game ending at 11:20 p.m. The Bulldogs tied the game at 73 in the closing seconds on a free throw by Luke Dyer to send it into overtime and the score was still tied at 82 after the first overtime but M-S could not outlast the Cyclones in the second overtime session. Jackson Bohm scored a team-high 20 points for M-S (4-5), which now plays Joliet Central at 2 p.m. Friday in a consolation quarterfinal game at Normal West High School. Miles Woolsey finished with 19 points, while Dyer (17 points), Malachi Nichols (14 points) and Landyn Hannah (nine points) all contributed on the scoring column for M-S.
Monticello Holiday Hoopla
➜ Tuscola 94, Oakwood 37. Tuscola won its 11th straight game to start the season in convincing fashion, leading 33-8 at the end of the first quarter and increasing its advantage to 56-17 by halftime in the Hoopla opener. Kam Sweetnam scored a game-high 29 points for the Warriors (11-0) to go along with six steals and five assists. Logan Kurtz scored 17 points and had five assists, Caiden Russo added 13 points and Sawyer Woodard made it four Warriors in double figures with 11 points. Woodard also added six rebounds. Alex Wallace scored a team-high 14 points for Oakwood (7-6), while Jackson Dudley added 11 points.
➜ Monticello 78, Ridgeview 52. Gatsby Grant put on an outside shooting clinic, propelling the host Sages to a win in their first Hoopla game. Grant scored a game-high 28 points and made a school-record 8 of 12 from beyond three-point range as Monticello (3-5) led for the majority of the game. Ike Young finished with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals and Nolan Buehnerkemper contributed seven points, six rebounds and five assists in the win. Carter Beck scored a team-high 21 points and Tanner Maupin added 15 points for Ridgeview (5-3), which had its five-game win streak snapped.
➜ Clinton 74, Neoga 36. Clinton started its Hoopla pool play with a rout, going up 38-20 at halftime and steadily increasing its lead in the second half. Keaton Graves shined for the Maroons (6-4) in their only game on Thursday by pouring in 32 points and making 5 of 9 from three-point range. He also added five assists. Anthony Westbrooks (12 points, four steals) and Dalton Bell (eight points) also had a hand in Clinton’s big win.
➜ Tuscola 78, Ridgeview 64. Sawyer Woodard was nearly unstoppable, propelling Tuscola to its second win on Thursday and keeping the Warriors unbeaten. Woodard scored a game-high 34 points and finished 16 of 20 from the field as Tuscola (12-0) took a 46-41 lead into halftime. Woodard narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds. Kam Sweetnam complemented Woodard’s efficient inside performance by scoring 22 points on the strength of four three-pointers. Logan Kurtz (eight points, four assists) and Parker James (eight points, eight rebounds, four steals) also stuffed the stat sheet for Tuscola, which conlucdes pool play at 3:30 p.m. Friday against Monticello. Tanner Maupin scored a team-high 19 points for Ridgeview (5-4), which ends pool play at 2 p.m. Friday against Oakwood. Carter Beck (14 points, seven rebounds) and Noah Hastings (13 points) also contributed for the Mustangs.
➜ Monticello 64, Oakwood 52. Gatsby Grant continued his stellar play on Thursday in Monticello’s second game, scoring a game-high 25 points to keep the Sages unbeaten in pool play. Grant made four three-pointers in the win, while Nolan Buehnerkemper nearly pulled off a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Monticello (4-5). Maddux Quick (10 points) and Colton Vance (eight points) also had important baskets during the win. The Sages play Tuscola at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with the winner moving on to Saturday night’s championship game. Brandt Hobick and Carsen Dudley each scored 13 points for Oakwood (7-7), which led 33-29 at halftime.
Heritage/BHRA Holiday Tournament
At Broadlands
➜ Salt Fork 32, Georgetown-Ridge Farm 22. In a defensive game throughout, Salt Fork outscored G-RF 10-4 in the fourth quarter to break through and hold on for the win in the tournament opener. Gavin Holmes and Jameson Remole each scored a team-high eight points for the Storm (4-3), while Kam Keller contributed seven points. A’jhon Watson paced the Buffaloes (1-9) with eight points and teammate Jase Latoz added six points.
➜ Mt. Pulaski 59, Heritage 49. The host Hawks kept it close, only trailing 27-25 at halftime, but could not deliver a win in their tournament opener. Rylan White scored a team-high 16 points for Heritage (4-7) and made a trio of three-pointers. Brennan Struck joined him in double figures with 13 points and Jacob Bensyl also contributed with seven points.
➜ Armstrong-Potomac 49, Salt Fork 37. The Trojans ran their winning streak to three games and avenged an earlier loss this season to Salt Fork with their latest triumph coming in A-P’s opening tournament game. Luke Townsend scored a game-high 17 points for A-P (8-2), which led 13-6 at the end of the first quarter but had its lead trimmed to 30-27 by the start of the fourth quarter. James Huisinga complemented Townsend by adding 15 points and Bowen Hesterberg finished with seven points. Jameson Remole scored a team-high 10 points for Salt Fork (4-4), while Ian Church and Grant Wilson each added eight points.
➜ Mt. Pulaski 49, Georgetown-Ridge Farm 41. Georgetown-Ridge Farm led 26-23 at halftime, but a strong third quarter by Mt. Pulaski was the difference. Deven Vice scored a team-high 17 points for the Buffaloes (1-10) in their second game on Thursday, while teammate A’john Watson registered 12 points.
➜ Armstrong-Potomac 81, Heritage 62. Armstrong-Potomac steadily pulled away from the host Hawks to earn its second tournament win on Thursday. James Huisinga scored a team-high 21 points and teammate Ryan Edwards nearly matched that total with 20 points himself as A-P led 34-28 at halftime before stretching its lead to 60-44 by the start of the fourth quarter. Bowen Hesterberg (15 points), Luke Townsend (12 points) and Cole Bailey (seven points) also had timely buckets for the Trojans. Rylan White dropped in a game-high 22 points for Heritage (4-8), while Jacob Bensyl (18 points) and Brennan Struck (10 points) also reached double figures for the Hawks.
At Bismarck
➜ Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 63, Milford 31. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin took a 19-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and didn’t look back in remaining undefated with a win in its tournament opener. Keison Peoples scored a game-high 17 points for the Blue Devils, with Micah Stanford adding nine points. Ethan Dubois and Chaz Dubois both finished with seven points, while Anderson Thomas and Darin Farr each scored six points. Mario Martinez scored a team-high seven points for Milford (1-9).
➜ Providence Cristo (Ind.) 49, Milford 43. Milford burst out to a 20-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, but couldn’t sustain its advantage throughout during the second game on Thursday for the Bearcats. Caleb Clutteur scored a team-high 11 points for Milford (1-10), with Beau Wright supplying nine points. Jack VanHoveln and Hixon Lafond each added six points.
➜ Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 66, Phalen Academy (Ind.) 56. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin withstood a comeback attempt by Phalen Academy to win its second game on Thursday and stay unbeaten. Mainly thanks to Keison Peoples, who poured in a game-high 35 points as the Blue Devils (13-0) led 24-10 at the end of the first quarter but only 48-41 to start the fourth quarter. Peoples did most of his scoring at the foul line, where he made 20 of 24 free throws. Micah Stanford and Chaz Dubois each scored nine points for BHRA.
Dieterich Holiday Tournament
➜ Arcola 71, Ramsey 20. Arcola opened its holiday tournament stay in impressive fashion, jumping out to a 24-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and not looking back. Braden Phillips scored a game-high 24 points for the Purple Riders (9-1), while DJ Stevens added 15 points. Tanner Thomas (12 points) and Brody Phillips (10 points) rounded out the balanced scoring efforts for Arcola.
➜ Sullivan 72, Red Hill 44. Sullivan doubled up Red Hill by the end of the first quarter and led 28-14 en route to a win in the Redskins’ first tournament game. Camden Watkins scored a game-high 17 points for Sullivan (4-6), with Mitchell Hooten not far behind with 16 points and Drayden Watkins giving the Redskins three players in double figures as he had 10 points.
Williamsville Holiday Tournament
➜ Prairie Central 77, Illini Central 45. Prairie Central ended a four-game losing streak by cruising to a first-round win thanks to balanced scoring. Easton Friedman scored a team-high 13 points, while Bryson Gadberry and Simon Zimmerman each had 12 points for the Hawks as they get ready to play top-seeded and host Williamsville at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a quarterfinal game.
Monticello Holiday Hoopla
➜ Monticello 40, Ridgeview 18. The host Sages opened tournament play with a resounding defensive effort to earn their third straight win. Megan Allen scored a game-high 13 points for Monticello (5-5), which limited Ridgeview (4-9) to only four made field goals. Ali Weidner also hit double figures for the Sages with 10 points as Monticello enjoyed a 22-10 halftime lead. Claire Edwards scored six points to lead the Mustangs.
➜ Tri-Valley 74, Tuscola 40. Tuscola had a difficult time keeping up with the Vikings in the tournament opener for both teams, with Tri-Valley cruising to the win after leading 34-24 at halftime. Taylor Gordon scored a team-high 12 points for the Warriors (6-6), while Ava Boyer added 10 points. Olivia Wallace and Reese Davis each finished with eight points.
➜ Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 64, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 18. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley opened its tournament stay with a convincing win, leading 35-11 at halftime. Lily Sizemore scored a game-high 17 points for the Falcons (10-1), with Lizzie Giroux and Sophia Ray each tallying 14 points. GCMS returns to the court on Friday against Neoga at 10 a.m. and against Clinton at 6 p.m. Hallee Johnson scored a team-high seven points for PBL (2-12).
➜ Clinton 59, Neoga 53. Clinton took an 18-10 lead into the second quarter and then fended off a comeback attempt by Neoga the rest of the game in the Maroons’ tournament opener. Balanced scoring carried Clinton (10-3) to its fourth straight win, with Regan Filkin (13 points), Clara Dempsey (12 points), Lilah Cluver (10 points) and Avery Smith (10 points) leading the way.
➜ Tri-Valley 56, Monticello 44. In a back-and-forth game, the host Sages could not overcome a 29-14 halftime deficit and suffered a loss in their second game on Thursday. Sarah Cresap scored a team-high 17 points for Monticello (5-6) and made all five of her three-pointers, helping the Sages only trail 39-35 to start the fourth quarter. Ali Weidner (eight points), Mady Melton (seven points) and Megan Allen (six points, 13 rebounds, five blocks) also contributed for Monticello.
➜ Tuscola 57, Ridgeview 40. Taylor Gordon scored a game-high 17 points, Allison Pettry added 15 points and Tuscola rallied from a 25-20 halftime deficit to earn the victory during its second game on Thursday. Reese Davis (eight points), Ava Boyer (seven points) and Olivia Wallace (six points) also chipped in for the Warriors (7-6). Claire Edwards scored a team-high 11 points for Ridgeview (4-10), with teammates Courtney Wesson and Abrielle Cavinder each supplying 10 points for the Mustangs.
Blue Devil Classic
At Bismarck
➜ Unity 36, Armstrong-Potomac 27. Unity overcame a slow start and fended off the Trojans to win its tournament opener. The Rockets (7-5) received balanced scoring, with Lauren Haas producing a team-high seven points to help Unity take an 18-11 lead into halftime after A-P led 4-3 at the end of the first quarter. Claire Meharry and Grace Brickers each finished with six points for the Rockets, while Kinley Harris contributed five points. Kayla Crull paced A-P (4-7) with a game-high eight points, while Makenna Ackerman (six points) and Chesney Franzen (fiev points) also chipped in.
➜ Westville 34, Attica (Ind.) 33. Westville rallied from a 20-16 halftime deficit and held on for a win in its tournament opener despite only scoring two points in the fourth quarter. Madison Duke scored a team-high nine points for Westville (6-7), while Madison Jones and Lani Gondzur each had eight points in the win. Gwen Bennett, who scored the Tigers’ only two points in the fourth quarter after Westville led 32-28 at the end of the third quarter, and Layla Walblay each added five points.
➜ Benton Central (Ind.) 50, Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 23. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin only trailed 16-10 at the end of the first quarter, but struggled offensively the rest of the way in losing its tournament opener. Ella Acton had a team-high six points for BHRA (6-5).
➜ Salt Fork 59, North Vermillion (Ind.) 34. Salt Fork led 22-11 at the end of the first quarter and kept its double-digit lead constant the rest of the game to continue the Storm’s unbeaten start to the season. Alexa Jamison scored a team-high 20 points for the Storm (13-0) in its tournament opener, while Sailor Pacot also hit double figures with 12 points. Ella Cary (nine points) and Taylor Remole (eight points) also played a key role in the victory.
➜ Oakwood 47, Attica (Ind.) 38. Oakwood relied on a strong second half to end a four-game losing streak and win its tournament opener. Trailing 19-16 at halftime, the Comets (4-10) outscored the Red Ramblers 20-10 in the third quarter to take a 36-29 lead. Caydence Vermillion sank seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points to lead Oakwood, while Gracie Hanner (nine points) and Bella Bradford (six points) chipped in.
➜ Benton Central (Ind.) 54, Westville 14. Westville had a tough time offensively in its second game on Thursday, falling behind 25-5 at the end of the first quarter against the Bison. Lani Gondzur scored a team-high eight points for Westville (6-8).
➜ North Vermillion (Ind.) 54, Unity 53. Unity rallied from a 30-22 halftime deficit to take a 40-39 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Rockets couldn’t hold on during their second game on Thursday. Kendal Zerrusen scored all of her team-high 12 points for Unity in the second half, including nine in the fourth quarter. Grace Bickers finished with 11 points, while Lauren Haas (seven points) and Claire Meharry (six points) also chipped in against the Falcons.
➜ Salt Fork 49, Armstrong-Potomac 31. Salt Fork relied on strong defense to get an early lead and continued its unbeaten start to the season with a win in its second game on Thursday. Alexa Jamison scored a game-high 17 points for the Storm (14-0), who led 10-2 at the end of the first quarter. Sailor Pacot added 11 points, while Ella Cary (seven points), Bracie Hird (six points) and Taylor Remole (six points) contributing to the win, too. Makenna Ackerman and Ashlyn Ackerman each scored eight points for the Trojans (4-8), with Tinley Parkerson adding six points.
➜ Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 35, Oakwood 23. A low-scoring first half turned in favor of the host Blue Devils after halftime, with Alivia Reifsteck scoring all of her team-high 11 points in the second half for BHRA (7-5). Sophia Stines added eight points as the Blue Devils went into halftime with an 11-8 lead. Caydence Vermillion scored 11 points, all in the second half, to power Oakwood (4-11), while Rylee Wright and Gracie Hanner each chipped in six points for the Comets.
State Farm Holiday Classic
➜ Kankakee Bishop McNamara 41, St. Joseph-Ogden 29. The Spartans fell behind 11-5 at the end of the first quarter and couldn’t make up the deficit in a first-round loss at Normal Community High School. Kayla Osterbur scored a team-high 10 points for SJ-O (5-7), which will play Normal U-High at 2 p.m. Friday in a consolation quarterfinal game. Katie Ericksen (nine points) and Addie Brooks (six points) also contributed for the Spartans.
Dieterich Holiday Tournament
➜ Arcola 59, South Central 18. Arcola cruised to a win in its first tournament game, holding a 27-6 lead at halftime. Kacie Sisk tossed in a game-high 17 points for the Purple Riders (7-4), while Crystal Ramirez (13 points), Ema Simpson (10 points) and Ava Simpson (six points) also contributed in the win.
Robinson Holidaze Hoopla
➜ Robinson 55, Tri-County 16. Tri-County had no answer to slow down the host Maroons, with the Titans (9-4) only making six field goals in the loss. Cara Phillips led Tri-County with eight points and three steals.
Matt Daniels is sports editor at The News-Gazette. His email is mdaniels@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@mdaniels_NG).
Sports Editor
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