Ava Johnson Surpasses 1,000 Points as Kankakee Wins Holiday Classic

In a thrilling day of high school basketball, Kankakee’s junior guard Ava Johnson reached a significant milestone by scoring her 1,000th career point during the State Farm Holiday Classic. Johnson’s impressive performance, which included 22 points, helped propel Kankakee to a 50-42 victory over Rock Island. The Kays, now boasting a record of 14-1, will face the top-seeded Washington in the next round of the tournament.

Kankakee’s success was further buoyed by Malea Harrison, who led the team with 25 points. This victory not only highlights the team’s skill but also sets the stage for an exciting matchup against Washington on Saturday.

In another game at the State Farm Holiday Classic, Normal University defeated Bishop McNamara 50-42. The Fightin’ Irish, seeded 11th, received a solid contribution from Trinitee Thompson, who scored 10 points. Despite the loss, Bishop McNamara’s season stands at 4-7.

At the Peotone Holiday Tournament, Reed-Custer celebrated a decisive win against Beecher, finishing at 49-32. Alyssa Wollenzein was a standout performer, scoring 27 points along with six rebounds and eight steals. The Comets improved their record to 7-6, while individual statistics for Beecher were not available.

The host Blue Devils of Peotone fell short against Richards, losing 26-15. Despite a competitive third quarter, Peotone was unable to regain momentum. No individual statistics were reported for the Blue Devils, who now sit at 6-9.

In a closely contested game, Reavis edged out Bradley-Bourbonnais 54-45, although individual stats for the Boilermakers were also not provided. Meanwhile, Joliet Catholic dominated Momence, scoring 64-7, with no further details available for the Momence team.

During the Chicago Christian Christmas Tournament, Manteno secured a win over Chicago Christian, finishing at 43-34. Lila Prindeville led the Panthers with 12 points and three steals, contributing to Manteno’s overall record of 13-1.

On the boys’ side of the State Farm Holiday Classic, Bradley-Bourbonnais triumphed over Metea Valley 53-50. Freshman Dajuan Brown played a pivotal role, scoring 12 points, including a crucial go-ahead bucket with just 24 seconds remaining in the game. This victory marked a positive start for the Boilermakers, improving their record to 5-7.

Bishop McNamara’s boys’ team also shone, defeating Olympia 76-49. The Fightin’ Irish, seeded first in the small school bracket, featured balanced scoring with Callaghan O’Connor contributing 13 points.

In additional tournament action, Coal City defeated Gardner-South Wilmington 40-30, thanks to a strong fourth quarter performance. The Coalers, now 5-7, will compete for the consolation championship on Saturday. Leading the Panthers was Leondre Kemp with 16 points.

Reed-Custer continued their strong showing by defeating Serena 60-49. Key players included Kaiden Klein with 16 points and Matt Kuban and Chase Isaac each contributing 13 points.

Wilmington secured a 68-59 victory over Dwight, led by Ryan Kettman‘s impressive 25 points. The team will face Woodland in the fifth-place game on Saturday.

Lastly, at the Bismarck-Henning Holiday Tournament, Phalen (Indiana) defeated Milford 74-45, with Jack Van Hoveln scoring 22 points for Milford, whose record now stands at 2-8.

As the holiday tournaments continue, teams are showcasing their talent and determination, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.