Altamont Captures Girls Regional Crown

The Indians had beaten the Bulldogs twice this season and made it a hat trick by taking a 64-30 victory Friday evening to win the Class 1A St. Anthony Girls Basketball Regional championship.

Altamont ran out to a 23-9 opening quarter lead and led 32-16 at halftime. The Indians then had a 20-5 third period run.

As usual, the Indians put four of their five starters in double figures. Mary Guse and Allyson Hardiek led the way with 16 points each while Ellie McManaway added 12 and Rachel Jackman 10. That's the way it's been most of the season and Altamont again took care of business.

"We sure appreciate the crowd and the following we had tonight," said Altamont Coach Katie Lurkins. "I'm a big believer in figuring out the tools you have on a team each year and then adjusting your game. This team is quick and we like to move the ball. I thought we moved well off the ball tonight. Our ability to have so many weapons is our success this season. The girls do a great job of recognizing who is open."

Along with having a good offense, Altamont also held down St. Anthony's top scorer Riley Guy tonight, holding her to four points on a basket and two free throws, all in the final quarter.

"Brooke Runge had her best defensive game ever holding Guy down," said Lurkins. "She just didn't let her touch the ball and when she did get it, Brooke did a good job of getting her body in the way."

St. Anthony was led by Grace Karolewicz with nine ponts on eight field goals and a free throw. Lucy Fearday chipped in with seven points. The very young Bulldog team finished with a 13-16 record for first year coach Aaron Rios.

"We were very young this year," said Rios. "We'll only lose Taylor Beesley who is graduating. We have all the rest coming back and I'm very excited about our future. We fought all night tonight. Grace is really a good solid player around the basket. Reese Jones had injured her ankle and came down on it again tonight but she came back to play in the game. I'm just very proud of these girls."

Altamont improved its record to 26-6 on the season and will now face Moweaqua Central A&M at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Casey-Westfield Sectional. The opening game will feature Hume Shiloh (Tri-County) against Brownstown/St. Elmo. BSE handed Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City a 42-29 loss to win the North Clay (Louisville) Regional Friday.

Class 1A St. Anthony Regional

Championship

ST. ANTHONY (30)

Hakman 0-4 0-2 0, Guy 1-11 2-6 4, Karolewicz 4-8 1-1 9, Jones 1-8 2-4 4, Beesley 0-1 0-0 0, Fearday 3-7 1-2 7, Faber 1-2 0-2 2, Rios 1-3 0-0 2, Willenborg 0-0 -- 0, Fitzjarrold 1-1 0-0 2. TOTALS 12-45 FG, 6-17 FT

ALTAMONT (64)

McManaway 5-10 2-2 12, Hardiek 7-12 2-2 16, Jackman 5-10 0-0 10, Runge 3-8 0-0 6, Guse 6-9 1-3 16, Miller 1-4 0-0 2, Tedrick 1-1 0-2 2, Fulk 0-1 0-0 0, Brummer 0-0 0-0 0, Klein 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 28-55 FG, 5-9 FT.

St. Anthony              9    7      5      9    --    30

Altamont                 23    9    20    12    --    64

3-point FG -- St. Anthony 0-12, Altamont 3-7 (Guse 3).