Tri-County Upsets Altamont To Win 1A C-W Sectional

"It was the little things that turned the tide," said a disappointed Altamont Coach Katie Lurkins after the game. "We had success and spread things out so well. We kept waiting for someone to catch fire on the team. We outscored them in the third quarter but couldn't remain consistent."

It was a run-and-gun affair the whole way and that produced 55 turnovers between the two squads, 27 for Altamont and 28 for Tri-County.

The Titans were first out of the gate, setting the momentum. Bella Dudley opened with a basket followed by a bucket by Melia Eskew, Taylor Berry then connected and Cailynne Phillips knocked in a shot and the Titans held a three-point lead at the end of the quarter

Ellie McManaway kept the Indians close, scoring six of their nine points. She connected on two of three from the field and two free throws. Mary Guse contributed a three-pointer.

The lead went to 10 points several times in the second quarter and the game looked like it might be a runaway. But the Indians clawed back and pulled within 26-20 at halftime.

The third quarter was what Altamont fans were waiting for. Guse connected on a three-pointer at the 5:05 mark and the Indians were within two points. Allyson Hardiek's two free throws tied the score at 27-27 and the Indians moved ahead when Hardiek again stepped to the free throw line and sank two. With 2:31, Hardiek hit a basket and Altamont was up 34-31.

The Indians held the lead until nine seconds when Tri-County's Eskew scored and the buzzer sounded the end of the period with the Titans ahead 37-36.

And that's a lead they never relinqueshed the rest of the way. Taylor Berry, who was Tri-County's  leading scorer, and theTitan's went into a hold mode that made Altamont have to foul to regain the ball. Berry was cool at the line and finished the quarter hitting 13 of 16 free throws. Dudley also was at the line twice hitting two of four and the team salted the contest away.

Berry finished with 27 points while Eskew added 10. Dudley, who was in foul trouble from the start with four fouls by the second period, played the rest of the game without fouling out and scored seven.

Altamont was led by Runge with 13 and McManaway with 10. McManaway and Guse fouled out in the final period.

"This wasn't enjoyable," said Coach Lurkins. "We want to get over this hump. We're going to take a little break and get back at it. The seniors have all contributed to the success of this program. All three are amazing. During their time here, we've won three regionals and three National Trail Conference titles. All this success in the program, we should be able to celebrate and we can't right now.

"We'll just have to work harder and extend that success."

One bright spot for the Indians, Mary Guse advanced in the Country Financial Three-Point Showdown with nine. Tri-County's Bella Dudley also advanced with 11 along with Katie Draper (Palestine/Hutsonville) with nine and Emily Parcell (Martinsville) with nine.. Thy will head to the Class 1A State Showdown with preliminaries at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 with the finals Friday, Feb. 28 at approxmately 12:45 p.m.

Tri-County (28-5) now heads to the South Central Super-sectional Monday to face Okawville, a 38-29 winner over Goreville in the Wayne City Sectional. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Class 1A Casey-Westfield Sectional

Championship

ALTAMONT (43)

McManaway 4-2 -- 10, Hardiek 2-4 -- 8, Jackman 3-0 -- 6, Runge 5-0 -- 13, Guse 2-0 -- 6, Miller 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 16-53 FG (30.1%), 6-12 FT (50%)

TRI-COUNTY (52)

Ta. Berry 6-13 -- 27, Eskew 4-1 -- 10, Cox 1-2 -- 4, Dudley 2-3 -- 7, Phillips 1-0 -- 2, Hunt 1-0 -- 2, Th. Berry 0-0 -- 0, Carroll 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 15-46 FG (32.2%) 19-29 FT (65.5%)

Altamont                  9    11    16      7    --    43

Tri-County             12    14    11    15    --    52

3-point FG -- Altamont 5 (Runge 3, Guse 2), Tri-County 3 (Ta. Barry 2, Eskew 1).