Altamont Moves Into Title Contest, BSE Season Ends

CASEY -- It would have been a championship game that featured two National Trail Conference teams Thursday evening at the Class 1A Casey-Westfield Girls Basketball Sectional. Unfortunately, Brownstown/St. Elmo came up a point short in the opening game, losing to Tri-County, 52-51.

In the second game, Altamont handled Moweaqua Central A&M to the tune of 62-50 after leading by only a point at halftime.

In the opener, Brownstown/St. Elmo players gave everything they had. The two teams were tied at 15-15 after the opening quarter as Olivia Campbell scored 10 of her 14 points in that period and Claire Wilhour nailed four of five free throws.

But Tri-County got untracked as Taylor Berry went on a tear, knocking in three trifectas and the Titans moved ahead 33-30 at halftime.

BSE fought back, putting up some tough defense in the third period to pull within 38-37 going into the final quarter.

Tri-County took a 49-47 lead with 1:36 showing on the clock. BSE's C. Wilhour hit two free throws that tied the score at 49-49. Tri-County missed a shot and Natalie Oberlink pulled down the board for the Bombers. BSE missed a shot with 1:01 on the clock and Tri-County rebounded and called a time out with 38.1 ticks remaining.

With 19.6 seconds on the clock, Tri-County's Kaylenn Hunt put in a basket and the Titans moved ahead 51-49. BSE came right back and C. Wilhour connected to knot the score at 51-51 with eight seconds on the clock. Tri-County was attempting to make the last second shot when a scramble ensued and with 0.5 showing on the clock, Thaylee Barry was fouled. Barry missed the first free throw attempt, but then hit the game-winner.

Taylor Berry led Tri-County with 22 points while Bella Dudley finished with 11.

BSE was led by C. Wilhour with 14 and Olivia Campbell with 14. Coach Brian Pruett's squad finished an excellent season with a 22-9 record.

Then in the second contest, it took a while for Altamont to get going offensively. Central A&M moved ahead 4-0 and held an 11-7 first period lead. The Raiders kept Altamont's inside game from getting on track. Altamont hit only three of 15 shots in that opening quarter.

Altamont kept close in the second period by connecting on 10 free throws. They still were having trouble scoring field goals as they hit on only four of 17 from the field for a mere seven of 32 at halftime. That's 21.8 percent. But the Indians still held a 26-25 halftime lead.

Then in the third period, Altamont finally got untracked with five of 11 and were seven of seven at the line to pull ahead 43-33 going into the final period then held off the Raiders for the win.

Allyson Hardiek finished with 20 points to lead Altamont while Brook Runge scored 16 and Rachel Jackman 12. Altamont hit 19 of 54 from the field for 35.1 percent but were 22 of 27 from the line for 81.4 percent.

"We really made our  free throws tonight," said Altamont Coach Katie Lurkins. "We're very versatile and have so many weapons. If you hold us down in one thing, we'll take care of business in another area. Ellis McManaway played great defense in the second half on their big girl and took them out of their offense. 

"We are now looking forward to playing Tri-County. We're excited to be playing in this gym and we just had a great following tonight."

Central A&M had only one player in double figures, Mikayla Denton with 11 and ends the season with a 24-9 record.

Altamont will advance to the championship game Thursday to face Tri-County at 7 p.m. with a 27-6 record.

Class 1A Casey-Westfield Sectional

Game One

TRI-COUNTY (52)

Berry 8-1 -- 22, Eskew 1-2 -- 4, Phillips 2-0 -- 4, Barry 0-3 -- 3, Carroll 0-0 -- 0, Cox 0-0 -- 0, Hunt 4-0 -- 8, Dudley 2-5 -- 11. TOTALS 17 FG, 11 FT.

BSE (51)

A. Wilhour 1-0 -- 2, Campbell 4-4 -- 14, Baldrige 1-2 -- 4, C. Wilhour 3-7 -- 14, Beall 0-4 -- 4, Oberlink 3-0 -- 6, Whitehead 2-3-- 7. TOTALS 14 FG, 20 FT.

Tri-County             15    18    5    14    --    52

BSE                       15    15    7    14    --    51

3-point FG -- Tri-County 7 (Berry 5, Dudley 2), Brownstown/St. Elmo 3 (Campbell 2, C. Wilhour 1).

Game Two

CENTRAL A&M (50)

Braundmeier 3-0 -- 6, Schinzler 1-3 -- 6, Mc. Denton 3-1 -- 7, Reed 4-0 -- 8, Mi. Denton 4-0 -- 11, Sams 3-0 -- 9, Billups 1-1 -- 3, E. Corzine 0-0 -- 0, Corzine 0-0 -- 0, Mitsdaffer 0-0 -- 0, Dial 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 19 FG, 5 FT.

ALTAMONT (62)

CmManaway 2-4 -- 8, Hardiek 6-8 -- 20, Jackman 4-4 -- 12, Runge 6-2 -- 16, Guse 1-4 -- 6, Miller 0-0 -- 0, Tedrick 0-0 -- 0, Brummer 0-0 -- 0, Klien 0-0 -- 0, Fulk 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 19 FG, 22 FT.

Central A&M           11    14      8    17    --    50

Altamont                  7    19    17    19    --    62

3-point FG -- Central A&M  7 (Mi. Denton 1, Sams 3, Schinzler 1), Altamont 2 (Runge 2).