4th Quarter Comeback Propels Altamont Into NTC Championship Game; South Central Downs Hatchets

A big fourth-quarter comeback propelled the Altamont Indians into the championship game of the 2020 National Trail Conference Boys Basketball Tournament. The Indians outscored the Dieterich Movin Maroons 26-10 in the final period to win the contest 62-50.

Meanwhile, the South Central Cougars won the Friday opener, defeating the Windsor/Stew-Stras Hatchets 37-27. Both contests were heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

With the win, second-seeded Altamont will take on the top-seeded St. Anthony Bulldogs for the conference tournament championship. Game time will be 7:30pm. Doors will open at 6:45pm. St. Anthony advanced to the title game with a 54-26 win Thursday night over Neoga. Both St. Anthony and Altamont check into the contest with 19-3 records.

The final day action will begin at 11:30am at Altamont Community High School as the St. Elmo/Brownstown Eagles will play Windsor/Stew-Stras in the seventh-place game. At 1:00pm, North Clay will take on South Central in the consolation championship game. Neoga will take on Dieterich for third place at 2:30pm. We will provide live streaming video and audio on 979XFM.

ALTAMONT 62, DIETERICH 50

Dieterich led much of this game, at one point pushing the lead to nine points, but Altamont stayed within striking distance and finally took command in the fourth period.

Dieterich was up 12-6 after one quarter, led 26-22 at halftime, and had the lead 40-36 heading to the final period. Altamont actually tied the game in the second half, but Dieterich regrouped to regain the lead. 

The fourth quarter, though, was all Altamont as their relentless defense forced a number of Dieterich turnovers and shots that hadn't found their mark earlier in the game started to fall for the Indians.

Altamont made 7 of 10 shots in the fourth quarter and nine of 10 foul shots. The Indians finished 20 of 42 from the field, 47%, including 6 of 20 threes. Altamont also made 15 of 17 free throws, committed 12 turnovers and pulled down 20 rebounds.

Dieterich made 19 of 44 shots, 43%, including 4 of 10 threes. The Movin Maroons made 10 of 15 free throws, committed 18 turnovers with six of those coming in the fourth quarter, and pulled down 24 rebounds.

Aidan Jahraus led Altamont with 23 points, including 9 of 11 at the line. Jahraus also led Altamont with six rebounds. Kaden Eirhart scored 14 points and Noah Teasley scored 10 points. Also for Altamont: Denver Duckwitz 6, Jared Kollman 4, Noah Klimpel 3, and Jerod Ruffner 2.

Freshman Pete Britton led Dieterich with 21 points on 8 of 12 shooting. Collin Hartke added 10 points. Also for Dieterich: Derek Kuhl 9, Cole Niebrugge 8, and Bryce Budde 2.

Dieterich is now 15-7 on the season.

Altamont will have ticket sales Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 in the high school office.

St. Anthony will have sales again Saturday morning from 10am to noon at the St. Anthony High School office.

All student and adult tickets are $5.00. All tickets are general admission bleacher seats.

SOUTH CENTRAL 37, WINDSOR/STEW-STRAS 27

This game was close throughout, but the Cougars also led throughout the contest. It was 8-6 Cougars after one period, 16-11 at halftime, and 28-21 after three quarters before South Central outscored the Hatchets 9-6 in the fourth quarter to win by 10 points.

South Central made 36% of its shots, 13 of 36, but missed all nine of its three-point tries. The Cougars made 11 of 13 foul shots, turned the ball over just eight times, and grabbed 19 rebounds.

The Hatchets made 10 of 27 shots, 37%, including 5 of 12 threes. Windsor/Stew-Stras shot just two free throws and made one. The Hatchets turned the ball over 18 times and pulled down 15 rebounds.

Keenin Willshire led South Central with a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds. Hunter Brandt scored 10 points. Also for South Central: Chase Dodson 6, Collin Miller 5, and Corey Smith 2.

Jordan Wittenberg scored 9 points to lead Windsor/Stew-Stras. Also for WSS: Gavan Wernsing 8, Austin Wittenberg 6, Parker Domzalski 2, and Samuel Vonderheide and Landen Miller 1 each.

South Central is now 12-9 on the season, while WSS is now 10-14.

Here's the full rundown of the Saturday finals matchups: 11:30am--7th Place Game--Windsor/Stew-Stras vs. St. Elmo/Brownstown; 1pm--Consolation Championship--North Clay vs. South Central; 2:30pm--3rd Place Game--Neoga vs. Dieterich; 7:30pm--Championship Game--St. Anthony vs. Altamont.