Kankakee Dominates Rich Township with Balanced Scoring Attack

In a decisive conference victory, the Kankakee Kays secured a 59-51 win over Rich Township on January 16, 2024. The Kays’ impressive performance showcased a balanced scoring strategy, with five players finishing in double figures. This triumph improves their record to 14-1 overall and 6-0 in the Southland Athletic Conference, solidifying their position at the top of the standings.

Leading the charge for Kankakee, Lincoln Williams and Kenaz Jackson each contributed 13 points. Myair Thompson followed closely with 12 points, while EJ Hazelett added 11 and Cedric Terrell III rounded out the scoring with 10 points. Williams also made an impact on defense, recording six rebounds and three blocks, while Thompson registered six assists and four rebounds. Hazelett contributed significantly on the boards with eight rebounds.

In another notable game, the Momence Redskins defeated Illinois Lutheran 70-53. Senior Erick Castillo delivered an outstanding performance, achieving a career-high of 29 points. This victory marked a milestone for head coach Kevin Ecker, celebrating his 150th career win. D’Angelo Hundley supported the effort with 13 points, helping to improve Momence’s record to 10-7 overall and 4-3 in the RVC.

The Bradley-Bourbonnais Boilermakers fell short in their quest for their first conference win, losing 50-42 to Lincoln-Way Central. Kobe Lawrence led the Boilermakers with 14 points, while Tez Smith added eight.

On the other hand, the Beecher Bobcats ended a seven-game losing streak by defeating Donovan 67-33. Wences Baumgartner stood out with 22 points and six steals, while Jadyn Stout contributed six points, five rebounds, and four assists.

In a tightly contested match, Wilmington edged past Herscher 43-40. Declan Moran led the Wildcats with 16 points, supported by Brysen Meents with 11 points and Ryan Kettman with 10. This victory marked Wilmington’s third consecutive win and improved their Illinois Central Eight Conference record to 5-1.

Meanwhile, Tri-Point secured a 55-40 victory against Grant Park, with Rigo Venegas leading the Dragons with 18 points. The Coal City Coalers improved their record to 7-9 with a 47-39 win over Seneca, aided by Dane Noffsinger‘s 18-point performance.

In a thrilling double overtime game, the Cissna Park Timberwolves triumphed over Salt Fork 58-52 at home. Details on individual performances in this match were not immediately available.

The Clifton Central Comets solidified their position in the RVC with an 88-28 victory over Grace Christian. The Comets now hold a record of 12-5 and 5-2 in the conference.

In girls’ basketball, the Grace Christian Crusaders clinched a 50-39 win against Gardner-South Wilmington in overtime. Zoey Baldridge led the Crusaders with 27 points, while Kaitlyn Jorgensen added 16, including seven crucial points in overtime.

The Beecher Bobcats also enjoyed success, defeating Wilmington 50-36, with three players—Allie Johnson, Grace Wuest, and Gianna Bonomo—each scoring 11 points.

As the basketball season progresses, teams continue to strive for success in their respective conferences, with standout performances shaping the competitive landscape.