Nashville, Monticello Advance To 2A State Tourney

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Published on March 11 2022 6:54 am
Last Updated on March 11 2022 6:54 am
Written by Millie Lange

CHAMPAIGN -- Nashville and Monticello will meet for the Class 2A State Boys Basketball Tournament championship after both claimed victories Thursday at the State Farm Center.

Monticello opened the Class 2A State Tourney with a 54-38 victory over Taylor Ridge Rockridge.

The Sages had four players hit double figures. Joey Sprinkle led the way with 17 points while Ben Cresap and Trevor Fox had 12 each and Dylan Ginalick 10. Monticello improved to 33-3.

Then in the second contest, Nashville went double overtime before edging Chicago DePaul College Prep, 31-24.

The Hornets, who had ended Teutopolis' season at the super-sectional, never led for the first 36 minutes of the contest. The Hornets trailed by six points before coming back to send the game into overtime. Saxton Hoepker's basket in the first few seconds of the second overtime had the Hornets take the lead for the first time in the game.

Hopeker finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the winners. The Hornets five starters played the whole game and both double overtimes, there were no substitutions.

The game was one of the lowest-scoring games in the history of the IHSA State Tournament.

DePaul Prep dropped into the third place game with a 26-6 record and defeated Taylor Ridge Rockridge, 41-22.

Nashville advances to the championship game with a 29-4 record. The title contest is scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

In the Class 1A State Tournament, Yorkville Christian dominated the opening game over Steeleville by a 70-27 count. The second game was also a big winning margin as Liberty downed Scales Mound 75-41.

The third place contest went to Scales Mound over Steeleville, 55-34.

Yorkville Christian and Liberty will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday for the 1A State championship.