Tigers need to hold serve against Hall

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Princeton and Hall may be on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the NCIC Lincoln boys’ basketball standings, but that doesn’t mean Jesse Brandt and the Tigers will overlook their friendly rivals from Spring Valley.

The Tigers have much more to lose if they lose Friday, clinging to a first-place tie atop the Lincoln with IVC, both at 6-1. With home games remaining with Hall, Kewanee and IVC, the Tigers are in control of their own destiny and can’t afford a slip Friday.

“It is nice to be in control of winning the conference. We need to take care of business Friday so that we have a chance at IVC next Friday,” Brandt said.

The Tiger coach notes the Red Devils have been playing better of late, almost beating a hot Kewanee team last week. He also said Hall junior Billy Gaull, the Red Devils top scorer (15 ppg), “did not play the last time either, so that will provide us with a new challenge.”

PHS claimed a 52-23 win over Hall in Spring Valley, despite shooting 23 percent from the floor in the first half and 31 percent overall.

The Tigers continue to receive balanced scoring, with all five starters averaging seven points or better, including Michael Murray (13.8 ppg), Ryne Vrana (10.6), Reid Clary (10.1), Scott Roseberg (9.8) and Brik Wedekind (7.3).

• Poll watching: Princeton remained at No. 9 in this week’s Associated Press 2A boys’ poll. The Tigers received 31 points among the panel of journalists around the state.

Hales Fransican (17-2) swapped spots with Peoria Manual (16-5) atop the poll, moving up from No. 2 with 138 points and nine first-place votes. The Rams received 128 points with two firsts.

The rest of the top-10 teams remained the same with No. 3 Winnebago (20-0), Fieldcrest (21-0), Teutopolis (18-3), Breese Central (19-2), Decatur St. Teresa (18-1), Robinson (14-5), Princeton and Paxton-Buckley-Loda (16-2). Princeton and Breese Central will play in the Feb. 13 Riverton Shootout.

Other ranked area boys’ teams include IVC (19th) in 2A, and Newark (8th) and Midland (19th) in 1A. Area girls’ teams ranked include IVC (6th) in 2A, Sterling (15th), Bureau Valley (19th), Kewanee (21st) in 2A, Annawan (15th) in 1A and Geneseo (15th) in 3A.

• League leaders: The St. Bede girls can wrap up the Tri-County crown Thursday vs. DePue with the boys’ title going down to Midland and Peoria Christian, both 6-0. In the NCIC Reagan, Dixon (6-2) and Geneseo (5-2) head up the boys’ standings with Sterling (8-1) pacing the girls’ race. Chillicothe IVC (8-0) is undefeated in the NCIC Lincoln girls’ standings. Riverdale (10-1) has a comfortable lead in the Three Rivers boys’ race with its girls deadlocked with Newman at 10-2.

• Leaders of the pack: Top area leading scorers are Bureau Valley’s Alex Franklin (19.3 ppg) and St. Bede’s Alec Schwab (18.1). All coaches are reminded to fax in their season stats to the BCR.

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