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Byron braced for shot at Big Northern Title
By Christopher Johnson
Byron’s Isiah Gooden drives through the defense of Stillman Valley’s Pwen Dunseth, left, and Griffin Britnell during the second quarter of their game on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Stillman Valley. Byron won the game 45-40.
By the end of this week the bracket-builders for the upcoming Class 2A Girls Basketball State Championship Tournament will be gathering to determine where area Big Northern teams will start the second season.
When the determination occurs teams such as Byron and Stillman Valley will know where they will start and from what position when the playoffs start on Monday, Feb. 14.
Success through the 2021-2022 winter season has been duly noted for both Byron and Route 72 neighbor, Stillman Valley.
Combined, the two teams have won 40 games this season and have lost only three times in head-to-head fashion within the Big Northern.
Winnebago leads the way and remains ranked in the top three on the Class 2A Polls with a 25-2 season mark. The Lady Indians hold a one game lead in the conference over second place Byron.
This past week, Byron and Stillman Valley faced off and the end result featured Byron holding onto a one game advantage over the bronze medal contending Lady Cardinals.
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, Byron traveled to face the Lady Cardinals at Stillman Valley and looked to shift standing in the conference. The Lady Tigers sat a game back and in third, prior to the early week meeting.
From tip it appeared some of the early jitters of the evening’s interaction were being worked through, but, they seemed to settle quicker for the visiting Lady Tigers.
Control was achieved as the game played towards the first half and through the mid-point break. Byron was on track for the upset of their hosts.
By the time the match had entered the early minutes of the final frame, Stillman Valley began adjusting to its different view in the standings.
Byron moved to 6-1 in the Big Northern and helped guide the now third place Lady Cardinals to 5-2 on the winter campaign with the 63-40 win.
This week the final games of the regular season will be played by Byron, with Stillman Valley experiencing its own shutdown days later.
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Byron traveled to Oregon for the last road trip of the season. Details of the early week match are unfortunately unavailable in this week’s edition of the Tempo Newspaper.
Thursday night, Byron closes down its hopes for a possible share of the Big Northern Title, if conference-leading Winnebago slips in its final few matches.
The Lady Tigers face 13-11 Genoa-Kingston in the conference closer. A win is expected for Byron, based on overall statistical indicators. The Lady Cogs have won twice in the Big Northern this season.
Non-conference games clear the slate for Byron as they play host to Elgin St. Edward this Saturday, with tip-off scheduled for 4pm.
On Tuesday, Feb. 8, the final game of the 2021-2022 regular winter season will feature a showdown with the Lady Irish from Seneca.
The Lady Cardinals close down the winter campaign following back-to-back conference losses to the top-two teams.
Winnebago shutdown Stillman Valley on Saturday, Jan. 22, with a 53-40 score. Byron scored ten points more in similar winning fashion.
The Lady Cardinals bounced back in a win over Dixon, 42-32, moving to 6-2 and remaining in contention for a possible title.
Thursday night Rock Falls visits with Rockford Christian helping to guide to an end the Big Northern calendar on Wednesday, Feb. 9.
