Published on February 13, 2026 6:31 am
Last Updated on February 13, 2026 6:32 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
KANKAKEE — Crown them champions!
Stewardson-Strasburg took on Morton Grove MCC in the championship game of the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 8-2A State Boys Basketball Tournament Thursday evening.
Stew-Stras ran out to a 14-8 opening quarter lead but Morton Grove MCC came back with a 14-7 second period to move ahead 22-21 at halftime.
Stew-Stras then had a 14-11 third quarter to lead 35-33 going into the final quarter. That’s when Stew-Stras went on a 21-11 run to put the contest into the victory category with a 56-44 score.
Johnny Richter led the way with 21 points on nine field goals and three of five at the line. Also in double figures was Adam Pruemer with 16 on six field goals and four of four at the line.
Stew-Stras ended the season with a perfect 29-0 record. Members of the team included Richter, Pruemer, Garrett Worman, Ty Kramer, Noah Friese, Reece Mueller, Max McCormick, Jacob Duncan, Tate Thompson, Braxtyn Lebon, Jaxon Estes and Jacob Howe.
Richter ended up scoring a total of 41 points during the tournament while Pruemer was at 39, Friese with 22 and Duncan with 21. Worman added 10 and McCormick eight.
Third place went to Carthage over Normal Metcalf, 45-42.
Class 8-2A State Tournament
Championship
Stew-Stras 14 7 14 21 — 56
Morton Grove MCC 8 14 11 11 — 44
Stewardson-Strasburg — Worman 4, Pruemer 16, Friese 9, Duncan 6, Richter 21
Morton Grove MCC — Ibrahim 6, Umar 3, Farid 2, E. Khan 17, H. Khan 13, Abda. Ahmed 3