NCHS celebrates their State Farm Holiday Classic title (Photo by Larry Duling/WJBC)
By Nick McClintock
BLOOMINGTON- It was championship Tuesday at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, as the four Champions were crowned in the 2014 State Farm Holiday Classic.
Small School Girls- Rockford Lutheran vs Rochester
Rochester came into the tournament as the number two seed and proved they were worth of that, as the Rockets never really had a problem handling the Lady Crusaders of Rockford Lutheran, winning by 12, 50-38. Laryn Sapetti lead the Rockets in scoring with 11, as Rochester moved to 12-1 on the season. Rockford Lutheran had the overall leading scorer in Abby Woolacott with 14.
Large School Girls- UHigh vs Morton
In a battle of the number one and two seeds in their bracket, the number two Pioneers continued to steamroll the competition, beating the previously perfect Morton Potters 52-27. Pioneer star Chante Stonewall was kept under double digits for the first time in the tournament. However, that left the basket wide open for fellow UHigh player Bailey Larsen to lead all scorers with 12. UHigh moves to 13-1 on the year, while Morton drops to the same 13-1 mark.
PODCAST: HEAD COACH Laura Sellers
Small School Boys- Central Catholic vs Rockford Lutheran
A repeat of last year’s championship, this game was the closest of the night, with the Crusader’s edging out the Saints 54-51 in a thrilling double overtime contest. Central Catholic saw a first quarter lead turn into an 18-18 tie at the half, and fall into a fourth quarter deficit before regaining their composure down the stretch. The score was tied at 44 at the end of regulation, and 48 at the end of the first extra period. CCHS was led in scoring by Jake Reinhardt with 21, as the Saints fall to 9-3 on the year.
PODCAST: HEAD COACH Jason Welch
Large School Boys- Normal Community vs Rock Island
Normal Community was not going to be denied in this installment of the State Farm Holiday Classic, as the Ironmen tiptoed their way past Rock Island 55-54. NCHS and the Rocks looked to be headed to OT, but a late Alex Peacock layup ended up being the deciding factor as Rock Island couldn’t make up the slight difference. Peacock finished the game leading all scorers with 19, barely edging out the Rocks’ Jason Jones, who had 18. NCHS moves to 11-0 on the season.
PODCAST: HEAD COACH Dave Witzig
Nick McClintock can be reached at Nick.McClintock@cumulus.com
