News and Tribune

Clark County Sports

Related Photos

  • Eastern junior Jude Olesh tries to get to the basket Friday night against visiting Springs Valley. Photo by Joe Ullrich

    2-22_Valley-v-Eastern_MBB-2.jpg

  • Eastern's R. J. Jackson drives to the basket against visiting Springs Valley on Friday night. Photo by Joe Ullrich

    2-22_Valley-v-Eastern_MBB-1.jpg

  • Eastern's Tevin Wolf goes after a rebound in Friday night's contest against visiting Springs Valley. Photo by Joe Ullrich

    2-22_Valley-v-Eastern_MBB-3.jpg

  • Eastern freshman Grant Newcomb dribbles the ball up court late in first half action against visiting Springs Valley Friday night. Photo by Joe Ullrich

    2-22_Valley-v-Eastern_MBB-4.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
February 22, 2013

H.S. BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Musketeers fall to Valley on Senior Night

Silver Creek, Borden close regular season with victories

By GREG MENGELT greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com

PEKIN — Springs Valley held Eastern to 13 first-half points and spoiled the Musketeers’ Senior Night with a 56-46 road victory on Friday.

The Blackhawks (9-11) ran out to a 23-13 halftime lead before both teams scored 33 second-half points.

“We played even in the second half,” Eastern assistant coach Mark Olesh said. “It was just a slow start.”

In his final home game, R.J. Jackson scored a team-high 21 points for the Musketeers (9-11).

“R.J. Jackson had a good season for us all year,” Olesh said. “We’re going to miss him.”

Austin Churchman added nine points and Jude Olesh seven for Eastern.

Levi Weddle did his best impression of Larry Bird — Valley’s most famous graduate — with a game-high 27 points.

“We had a hard time containing Weddle,” Coach Olesh said.

The Musketeers drew a Crawford County Sectional bye and will face either 17-3 Providence or 15-5 Clarksville in the sectional’s second semifinal on Friday.

• Creek finishes strong with win at Seymour: Silver Creek closed out the regular season with a 53-47 win at Seymour (2-18) on Friday.

The victory gives the Dragons (9-11) six in their last seven games.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more than the way we finished,” Silver Creek coach Brandon Hoffman said. “I couldn’t be more proud from where we were at 3-10 to finish like we did. It shows our guys have some toughness.”

The Dragons led Seymour 10-6 at the end of the first quarter before outscoring the Owls 21-4 in the second to take a 31-10 halftime advantage.

Sophomore Jake Steele had team-highs of 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots.

“Jake has a tremendous ceiling in terms of talented he is,” Hoffman said. “He’s finally realized he can be that kind of player every game. He was dominant with his defense and his rebounding.”

Brooks Howell added 11 points and Zach Davidson had six points and 10 boards for Creek, which plays Class 3A No. 3 Brownstown (19-1) in Tuesday’s only quarterfinal at the Charlestown Sectional.

The Braves defeated Silver Creek 39-23 at Brownstown on Jan. 11.

“We’re as ready as we’ll ever be for the sectional,” Hoffman said. “We’re looking forward to taking on Brownstown on Tuesday.”

• Borden whips Salem with big third: After taking a 27-21 leading into the halftime intermission against winless Salem, Borden outscored the Lions 24-2 in the third quarter and cruised to a 63-34 victory to close the regular season.

Borden, which finished the regular season 17-3, was led by Garrett Vick’s 20 points and Jalen McCoy’s 17. McCoy knocked down three 3-pointers.

The Braves host Class A Sectional 62 and will face South Central in Tuesday’s first quarterfinal. The defending sectional champions beat the Rebels 77-42 on Nov. 30.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Clark County Sports
LOCAL MAGAZINES
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter