Neoga Girls Fourth At Monticello, Altamont To Play For Title At Robinson, Newton Finishes At Merry Mule Tourney

Neoga edged out to a 14-13 lead on Tri-Valley in the opening quarter. Tri-Valley then came back with a 19-12 second period run to lead 32-26 at halftime.

The Indians mounted a comeback with a 21-17 third period surge to pull within 49-47 going into the final period. But Tri-Valley got back on track with a 21-14 final quarter run for the 70-61 victory.

Neoga was led by Brynn Richards with 12 points on four field goals and four of four at the line. Allison Sampson and Atalie Osborn contributed 10 points each.

The Indians fall to 11-5 on the season and return to action January 4 at Fairfield.

Monticello Holiday Tournament

Third Place Game

TRI-VALLEY (70)

Bruce 1-0 -- 2, Black 1-0 -- 2, Bartels 6-1 -- 18, Phillips 3-0 -- 8, Whitaker 3-4 -- 11, Bischooff 1-3 -- 5, Freihaut 8-8 -- 24. TOTALS 23  FG, 16  FT.

NEOGA (61)

Henderson 0-0 -- 0, Richards 4-4 -- 12, Sampson 3-2 -- 10, Eaton 0-0 -- 0, Osborn 3-4 -- 10, Campbell 12-5 -- 29. TOTALS 22 FG, 15 FT.

Tri-Valley                 13    19    17    21    --    70

Neoga                     14    12    21    14    --    61

3-point FG -- Tri-Valley 8 (Bartels 5, Phillips 2, Whittaker 1), Neoga 2 (Sampson 2).

At Robinson

Altamont moved into the championship game of the Robinson Girls Basketball Tournament with a final victory Thursday evening.

The Indians edged North Central, 56-53.

Altamont took a 16-15 opening quarter lead as Skylie Klein connected on two three-pointers. But North Central came back with a 16-12 second period run to lead 31-28 at halftime. Grace Nelson hit two baskets and was four of six at the free throw line for eight points.

Nelson then tallied seven more points in the third period but Altamont still trailed 44-40.

The Indians got unwound with a 16-9 final period to pull out the 56-53 victory. Nelson hit three baskets and was two of three at the line for eight points while Brianna Grunloh knocked in a three-pointer, Peyton Osteen hit four points and Kylie Osteen connected on a free throw.

Nelson finished with 27 points on nine field goals that included a three-pointer and was eight of 13 at the line.

In other games, Robinson defeated Oswego 58-45, Sullivan won over Tri-County 56-38, North Central trounced Oblong/Palestine/Hutsonville 89-31, Robinson beat Sulilvan 43-35 and Tri-County downed Oswego 48-42. There was no score reported on the OPH vs. Terre Haute South contest.

Altamont will meet Robinson at 1:30 p.m. today for the championship.

Robinson Holidaze Hoopla

Game 10

NORTH CENTRAL (53)

Secy 1-0 -- 2, Gaines 1-0 -- 3, Secrest 4-0 -- 8, Davidson 8-5 -- 24, Scott 0-0 -- 0, Ladson 6-1 -- 16. TOTALS 20 FG, 6 FT.

ALTAMONT (56)

Grunloh 1-0 -- 3, Boehm 2-0 -- 4, P. Osteen 2-2 -- 7, Lurkins 2-0 -- 4, K. Osteen 1-3 -- 5, Nelson 9-8 -- 27, Klein 2-0 -- 6. TOTALS 19 FG, 13 FT.

North Central              15    16   13      9    --    53

Altamont                     16    12    12    16    --    56

3-point FG -- North Central 7 (Laddddson 3, Davidson 3, Gaines 1), Altamont 5 (Klein 2, Nelson 1, P. Osteen 1, Grunloh 1).

At Fairfield

Newton finished in sixth place at the Merry Mule Tournament at Fairfield High School Thursday.

The Eagles opened the day with a 44-14 victory over Flora.

The Eagles raced out to a 13-0 opening quarter lead and led 20-4 at halftime.

Camryn Martin led the way with seven field goals, one a three-pointer, for 15 points. Karasyn Martin added 13. Lilly Kessler pulled down eight rebounds. K. Martin and C. Martin had seven steals each. C. Martin led in assists with four.

The Eagles then dropped a 51-46 loss to Woodlawn. The two teams were tied at 13-13 after the opening quarter and Woodlawn moved ahead with a 14-7 run.

Newton pulled within 39-37 going into the final period but Woodlawn got back in gear with a 12-9 run.

Kessler led the way for the Eagles with 15 points on seven field goals and one free throw. K. Martin added 13 points and C. Martin 11. Kessler also led in rebounds with 10. Elley Bennett led in assists with six. K. Martin had four steals.

Newton is now 10-7 on the season and returns to action Tuesday hosting Effingham.

Merry Mule Tournament

Game Eight

FLORA (14)

Jennings 2-0 -- 5, Warren 2-0 -- 5, Yager 0-2 -- 2, Warren 0-2 -- 2. TOTALS 4 FG, 4 FT.

NEWTON (44)

C. Martin 6-0 -- 15, K. Martin 6-0 -- 13, Bennett 2-0 -- 5, Meinhart 2-0 -- 4, Kessler 1-0 -- 2, Hadler 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 20 FG, 1 FT. (players add up to 41 while 44 listed as final)

Flora                 0    4      8    2    --    14

Newton           13    7    15    9   --    44

3-point FG -- Flora 2 (Jennings 1, Warren 1), Newton 3 (C. MArtin 1, K. Maritn 1, Bennett 1).

Sixth Place Game

WOODLAWN (51)

Burkett 7-3 -- 21,  S. Skinner 5-3 -- 13, O. Skinner 3-0 -- 9, Warren 2-2 -- 6, Kibler 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 14  FG, 8 FT.

NEWTON (46)

Kessler 7-1 -- 15, K. Martin 5-1 -- 13, C. Martin 4-0 -- 11, Bennett 1-0 -- 3, Hermann 1-0 -- 2, Nadler 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 19 FG, 2 FT.

Woodlawn                13    14    12    12    --    51

Newton                     13      7    17      9    --    46

3-point FG -- Woodlawn 6 (Burkett 3, O. Skinner 3), Newton 6 (C. Martin 3, K. Martin 2, Bennett 1)

At Centralia

North Clay (Louisville) fell in a Thursday contest at the Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran Winterfest Tournament.

The Cardinals lost to Staunton, 57-35.

That drops North Clay into a game against Johnston City at 5 p.m. today. If North Clay wins, it will play for fifth place Saturday at 4:30 p.m.