Altamont, WSS Pick Up Wins In NTC Girls Tournament

In the first contest of the evening, Altamont tallied a 63-42 win over South Central. The No. 1 seeded team in the tourney moved ahead of South Central by a 12-8 opening quarter count behind two three-pointers by Brianna Grunloh.

The Indians then kicked it into high gear with a 22-14 second period for a 34-20 halftime lead. Peyton Osteen hit two three-pointers while Claire Boehm added one and Grace Nelson scored seven points.

Taegan Webster kept the Cougars going with four baskets for eight of her team's 14 points.

Altamont continued on the offensive track with a 20-7 third quarter to lead 54-29. Nelson put in six points while P. Osteen had five and Grunloh hit her third three-point basket.

South Central came back with a 13-9 final quarter as Brooke Cowger put in three baskets for six points, but it wasn't enough.

Altamont finished with three players in double digits. P. Osteen hit six field goals, three of those from three-point range, for 15 while Nelson nailed six field goals, one from trifecta land and two of two at the line, also for 15 points. Kaylee Lurkins chipped in with 12 points and Grunloh added nine.

The Indians connected on nine three-pointers led by P. Osteen and Grunloh with three each.

South Central was led by Webster with 15 on five field goals and five of 10 at the line. Cowger chipped in with 14.

In the second contest, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg downed North Clay (Louisville), 59-48.

North Clay took the opening quarter lead 10-9 before WSS came back to lead 23-20 at halftime.

The Hatchets then put the contest on ice in the third quarter with a 20-10 run to lead 43-30.

The big statistics for the winners was at the free throw line. WSS connected on 22 of 30 free throws.

North Clay attempted a comeback in the final period but couldn't overcome that third quarter surge by WSS.

Three players ended in double digits for the Hatchets. Samantha Hayes led the way with 22 points on six field goals and 10 of 12 at the line. Kendra Hayes added 11 and Ella Kinkelaar 10.

North Clay was led by Miah Ballard with 23 points on nine field goals and five of six at the line. Matia Price finished with 10 points. The Cardinals put in 10 of 14 free throws.

Tonight's games include South Central against Neoga at 6 p.m. followed by Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City against Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at 7:30, both in consolation bracket play. The winners advance to a 4 p.m. Saturday consolation championship. The losers will play for seventh place at 2:30.

In winner bracket action Thursday, Altamont faces Dieterich at 6 p.m. followed by Brownstown/St. Elmo against St. Anthony at 7:30 in winner bracket play. The two teams coming out with a victory will play for the championship Saturday at 7 p.m. while the losers will play for third at 5:30.

NTC Tournament

Game Five

 SOUTH CENTRAL (42)

Reid 2-0 -- 4, Ka. Swift 2-1 -- 5, Conant 1-0 -- 2, Webster 5-5 -- 15, Johnson 1-0 -- 2, Cowger 7-0 -- 14. TOTALS 18 FG, 6 FT.

ALTAMONT (63)

Pospischel 0-0 -- 0, Pearcy 0-0 -- 0, Grunloh 3-0 -- 9, Weishaar 0-0 -- 0, Boehm 1-0 -- 3, P. Osteen 6-0 -- 15, Lurkins 6-0 -- 12, K. Osteen 2-2 -- 6, Nelson 6-2 -- 15, Sphar 0-0 -- 0, Klein 1-1 -- 3. TOTALS 25 FG, 5 FT.

South Central              8    14      7    13    --    42

Altamont                    12    22    20      9    --    63

3-point FG -- South Central 0, Altamont 8 (P. Osteen 3, Grunloh 3, Boehm 1, Nelson 1, Klein 1).

Game Five

NORTH CLAY (48)

Welty 0-0 -- 0, Price 2-5 -- 10, VanDyke 0-0 -- 0, Kincaid 3-0 -- 7, Ballard 9-5 -- 23, Ruesken 0-0 -- 0, Boose 1-0 -- 2, Wetherholt 3-0 -- 6, Fleener 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 18 FG, 10 FT.

WSS (59)

Johnson 0-0 -- 0, Kinkelaar 3-2 -- 10, Carey 0-0 -- 0, Downs 0-0 -- 0, Holland 0-0 -- 0, K. Hayes 3-3 -- 11, VonBehrens 2-1 -- 5, Wittenberg 1-3 -- 5, S. Hayes 6-10 -- 22, Despoitre 0-0 -- 0, Mathis 1-3 -- 6. TOTALS 16 FG, 22 FT.

North Clay               10    10    10    18    --    48

WSS                          9    14    20    16    --    59

3-point FG -- North Clay 2 (Kincaid 1, Price 1), Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5 (Kinkelaar 2, K. Hayes 2, Mathis 1).