Published on February 9, 2026 6:40 am
Last Updated on February 9, 2026 6:40 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
Another area team will be competing for a State championship in junior high boys basketball.
Stewardson-Strasburg claimed two victories during weekend play at the Class 8-2A State Tournament at Kankakee Bishop McNamara.
The Comets opened with a 51-28 win over East St. Louis Younge.
Stew-Stras went out to a 13-6 opening quarter lead and led 23-17 at halftime. The Comets came back in the third quarter with a 13-6 run to lead 36-23 and finished strong for the victory.
Three players hit double figures. Johnny Richter led the way with 14 points on five field goals, two of those three-pointers, and was two of three at the line. Adam Pruemer added 13 and Jacob Duncan 12.
Other first round games saw Carthage pound McNabb Putnam County, 41-29, Normal Metcalf took a three-point win over Decatur Robertson, 45-42 and Morton Grove MCC edged Green Valley Midwest Central, 48-46.
Stew-Stras then handed Carthage a 34-30 loss. The Comets edged into a 9-7 opening quarter lead but Carthage came roaring back with a 10-5 run to lead 17-14 at halftime.
But Stew-Stew went back to work in the third quarter with a 17-5 tally to lead 31-22 going into the final period. Carthage had another comeback with an 8-3 edge but it was too little as the Comets took the victory 34-30.
Only one player hit double digits and that was Pruemer with two field goals and six of seven at the line for 10. Noah Friese added eight.
In the other semifinal contest, Morton Grove MCC edged Normal Metcalf, 64-62 and improved to 14-0.
Stew-Stras remained unbeaten and stands at 28-0 on the season. The Comets will now square off against Morton Grove MCC at 7 p.m. Thursday for the State championship at 7:30 p.m.
The third place contest at 6 p.m. will feature Carthage (23-6) vs. Normal Metcalf (23-2).
Class 8-2A State Tournament
Game Two
East St. Louis Younge 6 11 6 5 — 28
Stew-Stras 13 10 13 15 — 51
East St. Louis Younge — Hayes 3, Hunt 5, Roberts 2, Coleman 2, Moore 7, Chambers 7, Wright 2
Stewardson-Strasburg — Worman 4, Pruemer 13, Friese 5, McCormick 3, Duncan 12, Richter 14
Game Five
Carthage 7 10 5 8 — 30
Stew-Stras 9 5 17 3 — 34
Carthage — Patch 3, Ellefritz 2, Bergmann 15, Wear 10
Stewardson-Strasburg — Worman 2, Pruemer 10, Friese 8, McCormick 5, Duncan 3, Richter 6