Neoga's Season Comes To A Close At Super-Sectional

Christopher moved ahead 12-9 in the opening quarter on the scoring of Amiah Hargrove who hit three baskets and two free throws for eight points. Jessica Gordon nailed a three-pointer.

Brynn Richards hit a trifecta for the Indians while Haylee Campbell connected on four of four from the free throw line.

Despite hitting only 28 percent in the first half, here came Neoga. The Indians started on a scoring binge that saw them tie the score at 24-24 at halftime.

B. Richards hit two more three-pointers while Allison Sampson connected on a three-pointer. B. Richards three-pointer just before halftime tied the score at 24-24. Neoga had a 15-12 run.

Christopher remained in the contest behind the scoring of Hargrove who hit five field goals for 10 of her team's 12 second period points.

Hargrove remained the unstoppable force. The junior All-Stater connected on two three-pointers and three regular baskets for 12 of her team's 15 points in the third quarter and the Bearcats moved ahead 39-35.

Hargrove continued on in the final period with six more points as her team had an 11-10 edge for the five-point victory.

Hargrove led the way for the Bearcats with 16 of 29 from the field and two of two at the line for 36 points. She hit two three-pointers.

Three players finished in double figures for Neoga. Campbell tallied five of 12 from the field and six of six at the line for 16 points. B. Richards chipped in with 11 and Sampson tallied 10. 

Neoga finished the season with an outstanding 32-4 record.

Christopher moved on with a 30-3 mark.

In the other super-sectionals, Galena downed Chicago Hope Academy, 53-21 at the Elgin Harvest Christian Academy Super-Sectional; Okawvaile won over Havana, 58-45 at the Mount Sterling Brown County Super-Sectional and Champaign St. Thomas More defeated Serena, 56-35 at the Pontiac Super-Sectional.

Thursday at the Class 1A State Tournament at Normal's Redbird Arena, Okawville faces Galena at 10 a.m. and Christopher goes up against St. Thomas More at 11:45. The losers will play for third place at 7 p.m. that day. The championship is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.

In Class 2A, Byron defeated Chicago DePaul College Prep, 52-45; Quincy Notre Dame won over Deer Creek-Mackinaw, 53-21; Chicago Noble/Butler downed Minonk Fieldcrest, 59-55 and Breese Mater Dei beat Paris, 35-26.

Byron will face Chicago Noble/Butler at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Class 2A State Tournament at Normal's Redbird Arena followed by Quincy Notre Dame against Beese Mater Dei at 4:15 p.m. The third place contest is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. that day. The championship is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. Saturday.

In Class 3A, Deerfield downed Lombard Montini, 52-45; Peoria edged Chicago Heights Marian, 37-34; LaGrange Park Nazareth Academy easily downed Oak Park Fenwick, 53-20 and Lincoln handled Highland, 61-39.

Peoria will face LaGrange Park Nazareth Academy at 10 a.m. Friday while Lincoln takes on Deerfield at 11:45 a.m. The third place contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. that day. The championship will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday.

In  Class 4A, O'Fallon won over Bolingbrook, 65-48; Lisle Benet Academy edged Chicago Kenwood, 47-46; Arlington Heights Hersey beat Park Ridge Maine South, 66-61 and Geneva beat Barrington, 51-47.

In Friday action, Arlington Heights Hersey takes on O'Fallon at 2:30 p.m. while Geneva meets Lisle Benet Academy at 4:15 p.m. The third place contest is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. that day. The championship will take place Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Class 1A St. Anthony Super-Sectional

CHRISTOPHER (50)

Crain 0-5 -- 5, Gordon 2-2 -- 7, Jackson 0-0 -- 0, VanHoorebeke 0-0 -- 0, Hargrove 16-2 -- 36, DeJear 1-0 -- 2, Brown 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 19 FG, 9 FT.

NEOGA (45)

B. Richcards 4-0 -- 11, Worman 0-0 -- 0, Sampson 4-0 -- 10, Hakman 0-0 -- 0, S. Richards 2-2 -- 6, Osborn 1-0 -- 2, Campbell 5-6 -- 16. TOTALS 16 FG, 8 FT.

Christopher                 12    12    15    11    --    50

Neoga                            9    15    11    10    --   45

3-point FG -- Christopher 3 (Hargrove 2, Gordon 1), Neoga 5 (B. Richards 3, Sampson 2).