Altamont, Dieterich Capture Regional Championships

ALTAMONT -- Altamont High School probably celebrated the whole weekend and with good cause. The Indians claimed their first regional championship Friday evening since the 2009-10 season. That's not to say they haven't been there, because Altamont has been in the last six regional championship games.

The Indians broke through Friday evening with a 62-54 victory over Nokomis to win their own Class 1A regional title and the celebration began.

Altamont took a 12-8 opening quarter lead and led 25-18 at halftime. The Indians never trailed in the contest, but Nokomis kept things interesting throughout.

Ryan Armstrong knocked down two three-pointers in the opening quarter and put home another one in the second period. He nailed his third one in the third period. By that time, Mitchell Stevenson got rolling. After only scoring five points in the first half, the 5-foot-10 junior nailed four baskets and two free throws in the third quarter for 10 points and finished out with a three in the final period and three free throws.

He ended up with 21 points for the contest. Meanwhile, Armstrong knocked in four of four free throws in the final period and tallied 18. Also in double figures was Sam Childerson with 11 points, eight coming in the final quarter, four from the free throw line.

Nokomis had an 18-16 third quarter run to pull within 41-36 going into the final period. But the Indians got back on track with a 21-18 final period.

Altamont is 20-11 on the season and will now face Effingham St. Anthony in the Nokomis Sectional Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Class 1A Altamont Regional

Championship

NOKOMIS (54)

Herpstreatch 1-0 -- 2, McDowell 6-2 -- 19, Ransdall 2-0 -- 4, Barnes 5-0 -- 10, Marley 0-0 -- 0, K. Sabol 6-4 -- 16, B. Sabol 1-1 -- 3. TOTALS 21 FG, 7 FT.

ALTAMONT (62)

Stevenson 7-5 -- 21, Flores 0-0 -- 0, Stone 0-1 -- 1, Williams 1-0 -- 3, Armstrong 5-4 -- 18, Childerson 3-5 -- 11, Cornett 3-2 -- 8. TOTALS 19 FG, 17  FT.

Nokomis            8    10    18    18    --    54

Altamont          12    13    16    21    --    62

3-point FG -- Nokomis 5 (McDowell 5), Altamont 7 (Armstrong 4, Stevenson 2, Williams 1).

 Class 1A Dieterich Regional

It was a close one but Dieterich pulled out a 54-52 win over Oblong to claim its own Class 1A Regional championship Friday evening.

Oblong stepped out to a 12-11 opening quarter lead on the Movin' Maroons. But Dieterich kicked into high gear in the second period to take a 32-23 halftime lead.

In that second period run, Tyler Higgs knocked in three baskets and two free throws for eight points while Ryan Radloff added six and Callaway Campton five.

But Oblong came roaring back in the third quarter with a 10-5 run. The only player to score for the Maroons in the quarter was Radloff with a three-pointer and a regular basket. Oblong pulled within 37-33.

Oblong then had a 19-17 final period but the Maroons pulled out the 54-52 victory.

Radloff tallied 22 to lead the way for the Maroons while Campton also finished in double figures with 13 and Higgs added 11.

Dieterich improves to 16-14 on the season and will now take on Patoka at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Class 1A Nokomis Sectional.

Class 1A Dieterich Regional

Championship

OBLONG (52)

Maus 11-4 -- 30, Cheek 1-0 -- 2, Meese 0-0 -- 0, Gill 1-2 -- 5, Goodwin 3-1 -- 8, Johnson 3-0 -- 7. TOTALS 19 FG, 7 FT.

DIETERICH (54)

Flach 0-1 -- 1, McClain 3-0 -- 7, Radloff 9-2 -- 22, Higgs 3-5 -- 11, Campton 4-4 -- 13, Niebrugge 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 19 FG, 12 FT.

Oblong              12    11    10    19    --    52

Dieterich           11    21      5    17    --    54

3-point FG -- Oblong 7 (Maus 4, Gill 1, Goodwin 1, Johnson 1), Dieterich 4 (Radloff 2, McClain 1, Campton 1).

3-point Shooters advancing -- Joel Logue (St. Elmo/Brownstown), Ryan McCown (South Central), Andrew Herpstreith (Nokomis), Jake Stones-Warner (Ramsey).