Lovejoy defeats Valmeyer to compete for Consolation Championship
By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Night One of Round 2 featured two games in the upper portion of the tournament bracket. Gibault battled with Saxony to determine who would advance to the Championship game and Lovejoy fought Valmeyer to determine which team would play for the Consolation Championship.
In the 6:00 p.m. game, Lovejoy defeated Valmeyer, 78-47 to advance to the Consolation Championship round. Valmeyer moved to the 7th Place game to face the loser of the Valle vs Perryville game.
In the 7:30 p.m. game, Waterloo Gibault slipped by Saxony, 50-41. With their win, the Hawks will compete for the Championship. Saxony will play for 3rd Place against the loser of the New Athens vs Chester game.
Lovejoy sails past Valmeyer, 78-47, to advance to the Consolation Championship game
The Wildcats of Lovejoy raced to victory Wednesday night in Game 5 of the 2023 Chester Invitational Tournament. It was Game 1 of Round 2 and the Wildcats were still stinging from the hard-fought, slim loss to Saxony in Round 1, Game 1.
The Wildcats wanted there to be no question about the winner in Game 1 of Round 2 on Night 3 of the CIT. The first quarter was somewhat competitive as Lovejoy managed a seven-point lead over the Pirates, 21-14. In that frame, Michael Holliday scored eight points on four baskets to lead the Wildcats.
Valmeyer was led by Harrison Miller who made a 3-pointer, a 2-pointer, and was 3-of-4 from the free throw line to pace the Pirates.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats outscored the Pirates 23-8 to extend the lead to 2 points, 44-22 at the half. Holliday led the scoring again in the second frame with eight points from four buckets. Landon Roy stepped up for Valmeyer with three points and Miller popped a 3-pointer to lead the Pirate scoring.
After the popcorn break, the stepped-it-up-a bit more scoring 25 points in the third quarter. Jamal Brown was the top scorer of that run with 10 points. The Pirates likewise stepped up the offense in the second half and scored 15 points, led by Harrison Moller who racked up 12-of-the-15 Valmeyer points. After three quarters of play, Lovejoy led the Valmeyer Pirates, 69-37.
There was a continuous clock in the 4th Quarter due to the Lovejoy 32-point lead. In the period, Valmeyer outscored Lovejoy by 1 point, 10-9. At the buzzer, Lovejoy had won the game over Valmeyer, 78-47.
In the win, The Wildcats had three players score in double figures including Shantez Holliday (26), Jamal Brown (20), and Michael McCallum (12). The Cats hit (33) 2-pointers, (3) 3-pointers, and 3-of-4 from the free throw line (75%).
Valmeyer had two players in double figures including Harrison Miller (27) and Landon Roy (10). The Pirates hit (9) 2-ponters, (5) 3-pointers, and made 14-of-20 free throws (70%)
Waterloo Gibault edges Saxony to advance to the 2023 CIT Championship game
The Hawks and the Crusaders fought hard throughout the game. Gibault led the entire game, but never by much. They led by 5 in the first quarter, 4 at halftime, 2 after three quarters, and at the end after free throws came into play, the Hawks racked-up a 9-point final lead.
In the first quarter, Gibault was led by Kaden Augustine who scored eight points on a 3-pointer, free throw and a pair of 2-pointers. Saxony was led by Luke Eggemeyer with four points. The Hawks took a slim 13-8 lead into the second quarter.
Saxony outscored the Hawks in the second frame, 9-8 to trail by four points at halftime. Gavin Kesler led the Hawks with four points, and Luke Eggemeyer scored all eight of the Crusader’s points.
After halftime, the Crusaders continued their increased efforts and outscored Gibault again, this time, 16-14. The Hawks still led, but by just two points, 35-33. Augustine paced the Hawks in the third with six points. John Hartman led the Crusaders with a pair of 3-pointers.
Down the stretch in the 4th Quarter, the Hawks managed to extend their lead enough to beat the Crusaders. In the fourth period, Gibault went to the free throw line 12 times, making six (50%). Add to that a 3-pointer and (3) 3-pointers and the Hawks came up with 15 points.
Saxony only visited the free throw line four times and made two (50%). They could muster up (3) 2-pointers for a total of eight points in the fourth period. In the 4th Quarter the Hawks outscored the Crusaders 15-8 to extend the final score to 50-41 for the win.
The Hawks were led by two players in double figures including Kaden Augustine (20) and Kameron Hanvey (13). The Crusaders were led by Luke Eggemeyer who scored 17 points.
Gibault made (13) 2-pointers, (4) 3-pointers, and connected for 12-of-20 free throws (60%). Saxony recorded (15) 2-pointers, (3) 3-pointers, and made 2-of-5 from the free throw line (40%).
With the win, Gibault will advance to the Championship game Saturday January 14 at 7:00 p.m. Saxony will compete in the 3rd Place game at 5:30 p.m.