CHBC, Altamont, Dieterich Win Openers at NTC Boys Basketball Tournament

CHBC edged out to a 14-11 opening quarter lead on Neoga. Clayton Wojcik was a scoring machine in the first half for the Bobcats. He hit eight of the team's opening quarter points and then kicked it into high gear with 14 of his team's 19 second quarter points as the Bobcats held a 33-25 halftime lead.

James Bullock kept the Indians close with nine points in the second quarter.

The score calmed way down in the third period as both teams tallied eight. Carson Evans hit two three-pointers for CHBC while Bullock and Trey Sheehan tallied four each for Neoga.

Neoga made a comeback bid in the final period with a 16-12 run as Sheehan scored nine points, only to fall short by a 53-49 count.

CHBC was led by Wojcik with 11 of 17 from the field and seven of 13 at the line for 29 points. He also had a team-leading five assists.

Gage Lorton finished with 10 points, seven in the final quarter and had four rebounds. Evans led in rebounds with five. Also with four boards was AJ Radloff.

CHBC won its first opening game at the NTC Tournament since 2017.

Neoga was led by Sheehan with 22 points on seven of 11 from the field and eight of nine at the line. He was the team leader in assists with six. Bullock finished with 17 points and led the way witht six rebounds.

In the second contest, second-seeded Altamont easily won over seventh-seeded Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 71-44.

The Indians ran out to a 17-4 opening quarter lead as Eli Miller nailed two three-pointers for six and Dylan Elam finished with five, also hitting a three-pointer.

Altamont continued on with an 18-13 second period to lead 35-17 at halftime. Kaidyn Miller took over the scoring for the Indians with eight points while Aden McManaway finished with a three-pointer and two free throws for five.

Jackson Gurgel, held scoreless in the opening quarter, broke loose for the Hatchets with nine points on a three-pointer, two free throws and two regular baskets.

Altamont didn't let up with a 22-18 third quarter as seven players scored. The final quatrer was a 14-9 Altamont edge.

Three players hit double digits for the winners. K. Miller led the way with 17 points on eight of 16 from the field and one of one at the line. Elam and McManaway added 13 each.

The Indians finished with eight three-pointers in the contest led by E. Miller with three. They hit 69.2 percent from the free throw line.

Windsor/Stew-Stras was led by Gurgel with 15 points on six field goals, one a three-pointer and two of two at the line. Elam and McManaway finished with 13 each.

In the final game of the evening, third-seeded Dieterich was a 62-20 winner over sixth-seeded South Central.

The Movin' Maroons ran out to a 23-5 opening quarter lead as Landon Keck went on a scoring binge. He connected with four three-pointers and two regular baskets, only missing another attempt from three-point land, for 16 of his team's 23 points.

The lead went to 36-10 at halftime. Keck added four more points while Caleb Gephart put in fuor points.

It was only a matter of time as Dieterich had a 19-2 third period  Lucas Westendorf went on a scoring spree with two three-pointers and a regular basket for eight.

Keck finished with 20 points on seven field goals, four of those from three-point range and two of two at the line. Also in double digits was Westendorf with 13.

South Central was led by Callaway Smith and Jacob Smith with seven points each. Both hit three baskets, one from three-point range.

The tournament continues tonight with top-seeded Effingham St. Anthony taking on Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at 6:15 p.m. followed by St. Elmo/Brownstown, seeded fourth, against fifth-seeded North Clay (Louisville) at 8 p.m.

NTC Tournament

Game One

CHBC (51)

Evans 2-0 -- 6, Wojcik 11-7 -- 29, Calame 2-1 -- 7, Radloff 0-1 -- 1, Lorton 3-4 -- 10, Rueff 0-0 -- 0, Cosart 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 18 FG, 13 FT.

NEOGA (49)

Young 1-0 -- 2, Bullock 7-2 -- 17, Titus 0-0 -- 0, Keller 0-0 -- 0, Letterle 0-0 -- 0, Sheehan 7-8 -- 22, Ray 3-2 -- 8, Hall 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 18 FG, 12 FT.

CHBC              14    19     8    12    --    53

Neoga              11    14    8    16    --    49

3-point FG -- Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City 4 (Evans 2, Calame 2), Neoga 1 (Bullock 1).

Game Four

WSS (44)

Gurgel 6-2 -- 15, Gracey 3-5 -- 11, Manhart 3-0 -- 7, Sayers 2-0 -- 4, Hendrickson 1-0 -- 3, R. Rincker 1-0 -- 2, S. Rincker 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 17 FG, 7 FT.

ALTAMONT (71)

K. Miller 8-1 -- 17, Elam 5-1 -- 13, McManaway 4-4 -- 13, E. Miller 3-0 -- 9, Milleville 2-3 -- 7, Jahraus 2-0 -- 5, Davis 3-0 -- 7. TOTALS 27 FG, 9 FT.

WSS                        4    13    18      9    --    44

Altamont              17    18    22    14    --    71

3-point FG -- Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 3 (Gurgel 1, Manhart 1, Hendrickson 1), Altamont 8 (E. Miller 3, Elam 2, McManaway 1, Jahraus 1, Davis 1).

Game Five

SOUTH CENTRAL (20)

Neilson 1-1 -- 4, Sidwell 0-0 -- 0, Hiestand 0-0 -- 0, Magnus 0-0 -- 0, C. Smith 3-0 -- 7, Bursott 0-0 -- 0, Jones 1-0 -- 2, Bergmann 1-0 -- 2, J. Smith 2-0 -- 5. TOTALS 8 FG, 1 FT.

DIETERICH (62)

Will 1-0 -- 3, Keck 7-2 -- 20, Wente 1-0 -- 2, Funneman 0-2 -- 2, B. Niemerg 2-1 -- 5, Wesendorf 5-1 -- 13, Tr. Niemerg 0-0 -- 0, Gephart 4-0 -- 9, Hall 1-0 -- 2, Jo. Holste 1-2 -- 4, B. Niemerg 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 23 FG, 8 FT.

South Central                5      8      2    8    --   20

Dieterich                      23    13    19   7    --    62

3-point FG -- South Central 3 (Neilson 1, C. Smith 1, J. Smith 1), Dieterich 8 (Keck 4, Westendorf 2, Will 1, Gephart 1).