Altamont Girls On Their Way To Class 1A State Basketball Tournament

Altamont Coach Craig Carr and his team during a time out.   Kurt Becker photo

FARMER CITY -- In the opening quarter, Cissna Park took a 5-0 lead on a regular basket and a three-pointer and the Class 1A Farmer City Blue Ridge Girls Basketball Super-sectional was underway and Altamont trailed.

But Claire Boehm hit a corner three to start the scoring for the Indians and Grace Nelson connected on two baskets and two free throws for six points and Altamont was down only 12-9. Nelson then found Boehm in the corner for a three ahead of the buzzer and the score was tied at 12-12.

That was the early going, as Altamont claimed a 52-44 victory over Cissna Park to win the super-sectional and are headed to the Class 1A State Tournament.

The second quarter was back and forth. Peyton Osteen hit a baseline jumper and Boehm made two more free throws. Nelson finished with seven in the quarter on two field goals and three of three at the line and the Indians held a 23-20 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Altamont pushed its lead to 13 with about three minutes to go. Early in the run, Altamont switched to a Nelson setup. P. Osteen hit a three, Claire Boehm a jumper and P. Osteen another three. Altamont then went quiet for a while.

But Cissna Park wasn't out of the contest yet. That's when the Timberwolves started a 14-0 run that lasted until the five minute mark of the fourth quarter.

Nelson posted up and got fouled as the Indians trailed  39-38. She hit a three-point play. That was the lone field goal for the Indians in the fourth quarter. Nelson started forcing Cissna Park to foul her with drives to the basket.

Near the end of the game, Altamont spread the court and Cissna Park had to foul Nelson because they couldn't get the ball away from her.

And that's when Nelson showed her versatility. She finished with seven field goals and then the big number came from the free throw line. Nelson connected on 20 of 21, She hit 12 of 13 in the final period 14-12 run for the victory.

 Nelson scored 34 points while Boehm added 10 and P. Osteen eight. Nelson pulled down seven rebounds.

Lucht led Cissna Park with 17points on five field goals, that included four three-pointers and was four of four at the line. Cissna Park ended the season with a 27-8 record.

Altamont advances to the State Tournament with a 27-6 mark. The Indians will now face Glasford illini Bluffs at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at CEFCU Arena. In the second game, Peru St. Bede will take on Okawville at 11:15 a.m.

Glassford Illini Bluffs downed Galena 47-41 to win the Brimfield Super-sectional.

Peru St. Bede downed Skokie Ida Crown to win the Elgin Harvest Christian Acadmey Super-sectional. Okawville won over Goreville 55-26 to win its own super-sectional.

The losers will play Thursday for third place at 6:30 p.m. The winners advance to the championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Class 1A Farmer City Blue Ridge Super-Sectional

ALTAMONT (52)

Grunloh 0-0 -- 0, Boehm 3-2 -- 10, P. Osteen 3-0 -- 8, K. Osteen 0-0 -- 0, Nelson 7-20 -- 34, Reardon 0-0 -- 0, Lurkins 0-0 -- 0, Klein 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 13 FG, 22 FT.

CISSNA PARK (44)

Lucht 5-4 -- 17, Edelman 0-0 -- 0, King 0-1 -- 1, Duis 3-0 -- 7, Hamrick 3-2 -- 8, Sinn 1-0 -- 2, Ruetter 0-1 -- 1, Neukomm 3-0-- 8, Henrichs 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 15 FG, 9 FT.

Altamont                   12    11    15    14    --    52

Cissna Park              12      8    12    12    --    44

3-point FG -- Altamont 4 (Boehm 2, P. Osteen 2), Cissna Park 5 (Lucht 3, Neukomm 2).

Altamont's Grace Nelson goes up for a shot against all five of Cissna Park's players. Kurt Becker photo

The Altamont team and crowd go crazy at the end of their 52-44 win over Cissna Park. Kurt Becker photo