Storm, Tigers bounce back strong
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| Princeton’s Aaron Ray (right) and Rock Falls’ Austin Babock go after a loose ball Tuesday at Rock Falls. (Shaw Media photo) |
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The Bureau Valley Storm and Princeton Tigers had good bounce-back wins in tournament play on Wednesday, The Storm defeated Midland 71-45 in the Wethersfield Wally Keller Invitational after falling to Wethersfield the night before. Likewise, Princeton followed up a Tuesday loss to Rock Falls by defeating the host Golden Warriors 37-33 at Sterling in the Sauk Valley Shootout.
AT WETHERSFIELD
Bureau Valley 71, Midland 45: After taking a 36-25 halftime lead, BV coach Jason Marquis said his Storm really came to play in the second half.
“We didn’t execute the best or show as much passion as I believe we can in the first half, but I thought we responded well in the third quarter and began to pick up our defensive intensity,” he said. “It’s never easy coming into a game on a non-school today, but I thought the kids’ effort was there.”
Storm sophomore guard Parker Neuhalfen scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the first half to help stake the Storm to a 11-point halftime edge. Brian Lange and Frankie Gebeck chipped in 11 each.
“It was also good to see Lange get going. He’s had a slow start in the first two games, but it was just a matter of time before Brian started to show what he is capable of,” Marquis said. “His second half was much better and we expect more of the same coming into the weekend.”
Marquis said Tyler DeBrock, Hunter Klemme and Bryce Hansen all provided the Storm with a spark off the bench.
Wethersfield 54, Annawan 29: Tony Gripp and Donovan Kirkhove each scored nine points in defeat for the Braves on Wednesday.
Putnam County 54, Elmwood 51: Harold Fay had 18 points and Cody Veronda added 11 and Tyler Warren 10 to lead the Panthers in Wednesday’s tournament victory.
• Saturday’s games at Wethers-field will pit Elmwood vs. Annawan at 5:30 p.m., Wethersfield vs. Midland at 7 p.m., and Putnam County vs. Bureau Valley at 8:30 p.m.
AT STERLING
Princeton 37, Sterling 33: Josh Kieffer scored 19 points to lead Princeton to victory over the host Warriors at the Sauk Valley Shootout on Wednesday at Musgrove Fieldhouse. Austen Stewart added nine points.
“It’s always good to bounce back. You never want to lose consecutive games,” PHS coach Jesse Brandt said.
While the Tigers’ offense may not have been lighting up the floor, Brandt said the Tigers came to play defensively.
“It was a nice defensive effort. We didn’t shoot well but still pulled out a win.”
AT SENECA
The Hall Red Devils were to face undefeated Illiana Christian on Friday, needing a win to move into Saturday’s title game at 7:30 p.m.
AT OREGON
Mendota 40, Byron 33: Trae Blumhorst scored 17 points and James Carroll added eight to lift the Trojans to victory at the Oregon Tip-Off Tournament on Wednesday.
