Lady Indians Bounce Back to Claim Class 1A 3rd Place Honors at State Tournament

(THE 2024 ALTAMONT LADY INDIANS...photo courtesy of Tyler Repking and Repking Media)

As the saying goes, "There are only two teams that win their last game of the season...the first place team and the third place team." When it comes to the Class 1A Girls Basketball State Tournament this season, the Altamont Lady Indians are one of those teams.

After a tough overtime loss to Illini Bluffs in their semifinal game Thursday, the Lady Indians bounced back to claim third place honors Thursday night, defeating Peru St. Bede 64-56 in a contest heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. It's the highest finish for an Altamont girls basketball team in school history.

As was the case earlier Thursday, it was anyone's game Thursday night. After one quarter, St. Bede led Altamont 20-17, and the Lady Bruins were in front 30-29 at halftime. Altamont had fallen behind by as many as eight points before a run featuring a corner three from Peyton Osteen with seven seconds left made it a one-point contest.

As is often the case, the third quarter was a big factor. Altamont outscored St. Bede 22-11 in the period to take a 51-41 lead heading into the final quarter. Altamont All-Stater Grace Nelson scored 15 points in the period.

That wasn't the end of things, though, as St. Bede had one final run in them, pulling to within three points before Altamont took command, pulling away to the eight-point win.

Altamont shot 52.6% from the field, 20 of 38, including 8 of 18 on threes. The Lady Indians had a great game at the line, making 16 of 19. They also held St. Bede to 29.3% shooting, 17 of 58 including 4 of 13 threes. St. Bede also put up 33 free throws, hitting just 18, or 54.5%. Altamont survived 21 turnovers to 15 for St. Bede, and St. Bede outrebounded Altamont 37-29.

In her final game as a Lady Indian, Nelson poured in 39 points and added nine rebounds. Peyton Osteen added 10 points, including a four-point play, six points from Brianna Grunloh, five from Skylie Klein, and two points apiece from Claire Boehm and Kaylee Lurkins.

Ali Bosnich led St. Bede with 23 points and Ella Hermes added 16 points. Also scoring for St. Bede were Ashlyn Elmm with 9, Lily Bosnich with 6, and Savannah Bray with 2.

Altamont ends its tremendous season with a 28-7 record, while Peru St. Bede ends its campaign at 29-9. 

A shoutout to Altamont's four seniors who played their last game at the state tournament...Grace Nelson, Claire Boehm, Peyton Osteen and Brianna Grunloh. 

A reminder that the Lady Indians will be recognized with a Welcome Home ceremony on Sunday at 2pm in Altamont Community High School gym.