Highlights, notes & tidbits from Day 1 of the 2017 State Farm Holiday Classic:
The Important Stuff First
Prayers go out to Chicago North Lawndale’s Clavonne Hilliard, who, after hitting four clutch free-throws down the stretch in a one-point win over Zion-Benton, found out after the game his mother had died earlier in the day.
Record Setters
In the first game of the day in the Small School Girls bracket, Danville Schlarman set a record for most points in a half, scoring 58 points in the first half of their opening game against LeRoy.
Shortly after, Morton’s girl team set records for most points in a quarter (36), margin of victory (60) and consecutive points scored (48) in a first-round victory over Chicago North Lawndale.
Jayde VanHyfte scored 24 points in Annawan’s opening victory, leaving her leaving her just 61 points behind her sister Celina for the most points in a tournament career.
We’ve Seen This Before
Rochester and Chicago North Lawndale’s consolation matchup at Normal Community [11:00a] is a matchup between the last three Class 3A state runner-up teams. Rochester fell to Morton in 2015 and 2017, and North Lawndale was second in 2016.
Normal Community and Rock Island Boys will meet at 5:30pm at IWU’s Shirk Center in a repeat of the 2014 Large School Boys title game.
Quincy Notre Dame and St. Joseph-Ogden hook up in a quarterfinal winner’s bracket game at 7:00 p.m. at Normal West. These two teams played for the title in the Small School Boys Bracket in the 2016 Classic.
Lock Down Defense
Wheaton Warrenville South’s girls basketball team has held all but one opponent to 35 points or less this season, including a first-round 44-32 win over Chatham Glenwood.
Take a Break
Laney Lantz of Camp Point Central/Augusta Southeastern spent the entire 2nd quarter of their opening game on the bench. Apparently well rested, she scored all 16 of her team’s points in the third quarter, and finished as high scorer of the day with 31 points.
Media Guide Correction
On Page 39 of the official tournament program/media guide, Nick Norton, currently playing collegiately at Division I Alabama-Birmingham, is incorrectly identified as his older brother Tom. We apologize for the error.
On page 107 of the official tournament program/media guide, in the Boys Individual Records, Mike Robinson (Peoria Richwoods) is listed as having the most field goals made in a game (18). This total was equaled by Brandon Trimble of St. Joseph-Ogden on December 30, 2015 in a fifth-place matchup against Kankakee Bishop McNamara. Trimble had 15 2-point field goals, and three 3-point field goals, tying the mark of 18. Our records will be updated accordingly.
Scoring Leaders for Day 1
Large School Boys
25-JaMir Price, Rock Island
23-Cory Noe, Mahomet-Seymour
23-Diamond Presniakovas, Plainfield South
22-Kameron Kolberg, Rockton-Hononegah
21-Kenny Strawbridge, Rockford Lutheran
Small School Boys
26-Ben Buresh, Annawan
26-Will Pepper, Peoria Christian
23-Ty Waller, Winnebago
21-Alec Blomberg, St. Thomas More
20-William Washington, Bishop Mac
20-Jaxon Cusac-McKay, Minonk Fieldcrest
20-Andrew Morrissey, Winnebago
20-Jake Wolfe, Aurora Christian
Large School Girls
25-Tenley Dowell, Morton
24-Ozzy Erewele, Springfield
21-Summer Stoewer, Normal Community
20-Molly Gannon, Chicago St. Ignatius
15-Amanda Franklin, Mahomet-Seymour
Small School Girls
31-Laney Lantz, Camp Pt. Central /Augusta Southeastern
24-Jayde VanHyfte, Annawan
24-Amber Storr, Rockford Lutheran
23-Aubrey Staton, El Paso-Gridley
22-Bree Trimble, St. Joseph-Ogden
Would be nice if you offered single session upgrades to all day pass, or, if you do, make it known to people coming in to watch the day 2 games so they don’t have to guess whether their respective team wins or loses. Just post a sign explaining that single day passes can be upgraded to all day for $X.
The Committee will consider this when we meet after the tournament!
The most economical and convenient option available to fans is the All-Tournament Pass. We encourage fans who plan to attend several games, especially all four of their team’s games, to purchase the All-Tournament Pass on the first day. Next year, you might consider buying the All-Tournament Pass online before the tournament, as that also allows you to have $5 from the pass purchase donated to the team of your choice!