La Salle-Peru Falls to Morton 69-48, Ending Season in Semifinals

UPDATE: The La Salle-Peru boys basketball team’s season abruptly ended with a 69-48 loss to Morton in the Class 3A Ottawa Sectional semifinal on July 15, 2025. This defeat marks a disappointing conclusion for the Cavaliers, who fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome critical mistakes.

Coach John Senica identified three key areas for success: ball control, effective rebounding, and smooth execution of offensive plays. Unfortunately, his team struggled significantly in all three areas, conceding 21 points from turnovers and 21 second-chance points due to missed rebounds. “We didn’t execute our offensive plays and push the ball up the floor,” Senica lamented.

La Salle-Peru led briefly in the first quarter, with Marion Persich scoring an early basket followed by a free throw for a 3-2 lead. Freshman Gavin Stokes showcased promise with a couple of three-pointers, but the momentum shifted as Morton closed the quarter with a decisive 8-0 run, culminating in a three-pointer by Alex McKie that gave the Potters a 22-15 lead.

As the second quarter progressed, La Salle-Peru managed to narrow the gap to 24-21 thanks to a three-point play and another three-pointer by Persich. However, Morton responded with a surge, ending the half with a commanding 40-27 lead. “Momentum is big in basketball,” Stokes noted, acknowledging how critical the Potters’ run was in shaping the game’s outcome.

The second half saw Morton extending their lead to 48-27, and La Salle-Peru struggled to recover. Coach Senica observed that his players were running out of gas due to constant defensive pressure, exacerbated by turnovers and second-chance points for Morton.

Despite the defeat, La Salle-Peru finished the season with a commendable 20-11 record and their third consecutive regional championship. “I’m extremely proud of this team,” Senica expressed, reflecting on the challenges they faced throughout the season, including injuries and sickness.

Stokes highlighted the bittersweet feeling of not advancing further, stating, “Back-to-back-to-back regionals and not winning a sectional kind of stings a little bit, but I think we have a good group of guys coming back.”

For Morton, McKie led the scoring with 17 points, including 7-of-11 from three-point range, while Silas Steffan added 14 points and eight rebounds. The Potters, ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press Class 3A poll, are set to face the winner of the No. 1 Kankakee vs. No. 8 East Peoria matchup in the championship game scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.

As the dust settles on this season, La Salle-Peru’s promising roster looks ahead, aiming to build on their successes and overcome this setback in the upcoming year. Fans are left with a mix of pride in their team’s achievements and hope for future victories.