Published on March 9, 2026 10:52 am
Last Updated on March 9, 2026 10:52 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
MERIDIAN — It wasn’t the end Altamont High School hoped for as the team saw its season come to a close in the Class 1A Mounds Meridian Boys Basketball Sectional Friday evening.
Despite an opening quarter 11-9 lead, Altamont had to fight the whole contest to get back into contention and eventually fell to Lawrenceville by a 59-45 tally.
This was the second time Altamont had faced Lawrenceville, losing 54-44 in February.
The game opened with Altamont’s Cooper McManaway hitting a basket. Lawrenceville came right back but McManaway again connected after a steal. Altamont then moved into a 9-2 lead as Zaine MIller hit a basket and McManaway connected on a three-pointer.
Lawrenceville got untracked and came back within 11-9 at the end of the quarter.
In the second period, Lawrenceville had control. The team tied the score at 11-11 as the period began. Lawrenceville had all five players score as Jayden Goff hit a regular basket and a three for five while Noah Wilson connected on a three-pointer and was two of two at the line, also for five.
Altamont held a 21-20 lead after going on a 6-0 run. Kade Milleville hit a basket and McManawany contributed two more baskets.
But Lawrenceville came back on a 7-0 run to move ahead by an 18-13 count and held a 27-21 halftime lead.
Cooper Pals hit a three-pointer at the beginnng of the third quarter and Johnson put in a basket. But there would be only one more basket and a free throw as Lawrenceville went on a tear, outscoring the Indians 15-8 for a 42-29 lead going into the final quarter.
In the final period, Lawrenceville continued on. Altamont trailed 47-29. McManaway hit a three but Lawrenceville always answered back and had a 17-16 final quarter edge for the winning margin.
Jayden Goff led Lawrenceville with 19 points on five baskets, three of those from beyond the arc. Noah Wilson contributed 15 and Jacek Mickiewicz added 12.
Altamont had only one player finish in double figures. McManaway connected on eight field goals, four from three-point range, and one free throw for 21.
Lawrenceville hit 45 percent from the field and 78 percent at the free throw line. They were 50 percent from three-point range.
Altamont finished with 33 percent from the field, 75 precent at the free throw line and only 27 percent from three-point range.
“I’m very proud of this team,” said Altamont Coach John Niebrugge. “These boys could have given up early in the season but they didn’t. It was disappoining to lose this game, but I consider the season was far from unsuccesful.”
Altamont ended the season with a 24-11 record.
Lawrenceville advances to the Charleston Super-Sectional at Eastern Illinois University tonight where the team will face LeRoy at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to the Class 1A State Tournament.
Class 1A Macon Meridian Sectional
LAWRENCEVILLE (59)
Cessna 2-3 — 7, Goff 8-0 — 19, Wilson 5-4 — 15, Ivers 3-0 — 6, Mickiewicz 4-4 — 12. TOTALS 22 FG, 11 FT.
ALTAMONT (45)
Pals 1-0 — 3, McManaway 8-1 — 21, K. Milleville 2-2 — 6, Johnson 3-0 — 6, Miller 3-0 — 7, Bell 0-0 — 0, Berg 1-0 — 2. TOTALS 18 FG, 3 FT.
Lawrenceville 9 18 15 17 — 59
Altamont 11 10 8 16 — 45
3-point FG — Lawrenceville 4 (Goff 3, Wilson 1), Altamont 6 (McManaway 4, Pals 1, Miller 1).