Thanksgiving tournament concludes in Pecatonica

By Chris Johnson

Reporter

PECATONICA – During Thanksgiving week the Pecatonica Indians joined with other teams from across northern Illinois to open the boys’ basketball season.

To have a shot at a title this year, the Indians would have to defeat at least three of the four opponents they would face.

The North Boone Vikings, Freeport Aquin Bulldogs, Warren Warriors, South Beloit Sobos and Pecatonica Indians, all laced up for the first time this season.

In the end, North Boone came away with the title, working through the tournament with a 4-0 mark.

Freeport Aquin finished in second place with a 3-1 record, having only lost to the champion Vikings.

The Warren Warriors ended the Thanksgiving tournament with a 2-2, finishing in third place

Pecatonica finished the tournament with a 1-3 record and fourth place honors, while South Beloit finished in fifth with a 0-4 record.

North Boone achieved the title, after sitting back on opening night and watching as the Warriors nearly upset the Aquin Bulldogs, losing by eight points.

Three players scored in double-digits for Aquin, with Warren led by Jared Brinkmeier and his 18 points. Zach Vondra scored 14 with Keegan Kent adding nine and Andrew Kaiser chipping in seven for Warren.

In game two, Pecatonica slipped past South Beloit, 52-49. Peyton Elliott scored 18 points for Pecatonica with Ben Kimes contributing 16. Clay Colborn finished with seven points for the Indians

For South Beloit, Walmer led the team with 22 points scored. Strasser added twelve, in the losing effort.

On night two, the North Boone Vikings almost lost the tournament, winning late, 64-63 over Warren. Vondra and Kaiser combined for 18 points in the final period, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Warriors fell. Vondra finished with 21 points as Kaiser knocked in 18 for the night.

In game two, Freeport Aquin defeated South Beloit, 64-52.

Pecatonica did not play on night three, but was back on the court for the night four game, Monday, Nov. 30.

The Indians, however, were not able to keep pace with the Freeport Aquin Bulldogs, as they fell 66-61, pushing Aquin into the final and a battle for the title.

North Boone defeated South Beloit in the evening’s opener 55-44 on night four.

With the Pecatonica Thanksgiving Tournament concluding on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Indians and Warriors knew they would be battling for third place, after watching North Boone chain the Bulldogs in the clincher, 71-66.

Warren and Pecatonica took to the floor shortly after 7:30, with the Warriors jumping in front early, claiming the 19-15 lead after one period of play. Vondra scored six points in the opening eight minutes of play as Kent added five.

In the second quarter, Warren took control, as they put 15 points on the board, outscoring the host Indians by five in the period.

At the half, Warren held the lead 35-25.

In the third quarter, shots were hard to come by, with 20 points scored in the period. The Warriors, however, maintained their slight edge, stretching their lead to twelve, 46-34.

Pecatonica did not hit a basket in the final period, with only two free throws recorded in the period.

The Warriors claimed the third place honor with the 57-36 win.