2023 Game 19 Recap: Illini Bluffs 54, Farmington 37
In Day 3’s first game in the 5th place sub-bracket, the Illini Bluffs Tigers took the victory over the Farmers of Farmington by a score of 54-37. Illini Bluffs advances to the 5th place game for the first time since 2016, when they defeated Illini West to grab the 5th Place trophy that year. The score was tied 21-21 at halftime, following a three pointer at the 1st half buzzer by Farmington’s Jack Gronewold. However, Bluffs scored the first eight points of the second half and never gave the lead back to Farmington. The Tigers size led to an advantage in points in the paint by a count of 32-8.
The Tigers were led by Hank Alvey, who had a game-highs with 26 points and 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Toby Cooper also finished in double figures with 13 points. Cooper and Wyatt Hendel each grabbed five rebounds. Devon White had a game-high five assists and four steals. Free throws have been a dessert during the tournament across the board, but Bluffs did hit 6-of-7 in this game. Bluffs led by as many as 20 in this game.
Farmington’s leading scorer was Jack Gronewold, who had 14 points. Keauntrey Barnes was second on the team with nine points, but did lead the team with seven rebounds. Barnes and Owen Morse tied for the team-high with four assists.
Illini Bluffs advances to the 5th Place game to face the winner of Monmouth-Roseville and A-Town, where the winner will receive a trophy. That contest is Game 24, tonight at 6:30pm.
2023 Game 20 Recap: Monmouth-Roseville 46, Abingdon-Avon 33
Following last night’s loss to Camp Point Central, the Titans of Monmouth-Roseville needed a tough showing on the morning of Day 3. They got it in a gutsy 46-33 win over Abingdon-Avon’s Tornadoes. The first half was anyone’s game as it went to break with a 20-19 score. The Titans won both of the final two quarters and took a decisive victory. Monmouth forced 20 A-Town into turnovers and converted those into 16 points. A-Town actually decisively won the rebounding battle by a count of 32-21. Unfortunately they couldn’t convert those into meaningful second chance points.
Monmouth-Roseville’s Darrion Smith might have put his name into All-Tournament Team discussion with an impressive 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, five blocks, and three steals. All but assists were a team-high. Jake Steele’s five rebounds tied Smith and his four assists led the team in the category.
A-Town had a spread-out scoring attack with Carter Redfern’s nine, Kellen Hook’s eight, and Asa Stegall’s seven points. Stegall led the game with eight rebounds and led his team with three assists. In a tournament where free throws have been anything but free, the Tornadoes shot an impressive 9-for-11 (81.8%) from the free throw line.
The Titans (10-5) will move on to play the 5th Place game against Illini Bluffs. That contest will take place in Game 24, tonight at 6:30pm. A-Town (7-9) has been eliminated from the tournament.
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