Vandalia Edges SEB to Win Holiday Tourney Crown

ST. ELMO -- Vandalia High School edged St. Elmo/Brownstown 68-67 to capture the championship of the St. Elmo Holiday Boys Basketball Tournament crown Wednesday evening.

The Vandals had things under control from the start. They swept out to a 20-10 opening quarter lead as five players scored. St. Elmo/Brownstown had only one scorer, Landon Feezel, a 6-foot-5 senior. Feezel nailed two three-point baskets and two regular shots for all 10 of his team's points.

Vandalia continued to rule through the second period with a 19-16 edge to lead 39-26 at halftime. Feezel was again the catalyst for SEB with another three-pointer and three regular baskets for nine of the team's 16 points.

Vandalia had a 20-15 third period and led 59-41 going into the final quarter. That's when SEB came awake. Feezel was unstoppable, hitting six baskets and three free throws.

The Vandals had trouble against the Eagles and turned over the ball with Feezel connecting to pull the squad within three points. That's when Isaac Maxey stepped forward and nailed a three-pointer with around a minute remaining to tie the score at 64-64.

St. Elmo/Brownstown scored again but by then the Vandals had regained control of the contest, putting in two baskets for the one-point victory.

Feezel led all scorers with 39 points, just two points shy of the scoring record held by Shane DePew. Feezel hit 16 field goals, including three trifectas, and was three of three at the line. Also in double figures was Maxey with 12 points.

In the third place game, Cumberland beat Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City 71-58. The Pirates edged out to a 16-13 opening quarter lead and led 37-33 at halftime.

Cumberland then had a 22-13 third period as Cole Willenborg nailed four baskets for eight points and the Pirates led 59-46 going into the final quarter. Cumberland maintained control the rest of the way.

Willenborg finished with 32 points while Zach Wolke added 17 and Mike Wolke scored 11.

CHBC was led by Aaron Nohren with 25 points and Konner Blackerby with 18.

The All-Tournament First Team included Landon Feezel (SEB) named the Most Valuable Player, Marcus Zimmerman (Vandalia), Tyson Magee (Cumberland), Richie Well (Vandalia) and Nathan Casey (Vandalia).

Second Team members were Courtlyn Latham (Mulberry Grove), Aaron Nohren (CHBC), Zach Wolke (Cumberland), Klayton Kroll (SEB) and Trent Geiler (South Central).

Cheerleading awards went to St. Elmo/Brownstown first place and Ramsey second place.

St. Elmo Holiday Tournament

Championship

ST. ELMO/BROWNSTOWN (67)

Brown 3-0 -- 7, Maxey 5-0 -- 12, Kroll 2-0 -- 4, Brooks 2-0 -- 5, Philpot 0-0 -- 0,  Feezel 16-3 -- 39. TOTALS 28 FG, 3 FT.

VANDALIA (68)

Ruckman 0-0 -- 0, Zimmerman 9-3 -- 22, Casey 6-1 -- 16, Well 5-0 -- 10, Morrison 1-1 -- 3, Jones 1-2 -- 4, McNary 1-4 -- 7, Graham 3-0 -- 6. TOTALS 26 FG, 11 FT.

SEB                    10    16    15    26    --    67

Vandalia            20     19    20      9    --    68

3-point FG -- St. Elmo/Brownstown 8 (Brown 1, Maxey 2, Brooks 1, Fezel 4), Vandalia 5 (Zimmerman 1, Casey 3, McNary 1).

Third Place Game

CUMBERLAND (71)

Butler 1-0 -- 3, Donsbach 1-0 -- 2, Willenborg 1-0 -- 2, Magee 14-4 -- 32, Z. Wolke 7-2 -- 17, Hatfill 2-0 -- 4, M. Wolke 4-3 -- 11. TOTALS 30 FG, 9 FT.

CHBC (58)

Grove 2-0 -- 6, Barnes 0-0 -- 0, Phillips 0-0 -- 0, Blackerby 8-2 -- 18, Stewart 3-3 -- 9, Duckwitz 0-0 -- 0, M. Nohren 0-0 -- 0, A. Nohren 8-8 -- 25, Buzzard 0-0 -- 0, Kirchhofer 0-0 -- 0, Miller 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 21 FG, 13 FT.

Cumberland           16    21    22    12   --    71

CHBC                      13    20    13    12    --    58

3-point FG -- Cumberland 2 (Butler 1, Z Wolke 1), Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City 3 (Grove 2, A. Nohren 1).