Rebels win first at regional since 2011

By JEFF LAMPE
For The Prairie News

WILLIAMSFIELD – The third time was not only a charm for the Stark County boys basketball team, it helped end an 11-year regional drought.

Trailing 25-23 at halftime in its Class 1A regional opener, Stark County rallied to defeat ROWVA-Williamsfield last Saturday, 66-57, to avenge two regular-season losses against R-W.

The road win moved Stark County (17-15) into a regional semifinal showdown against Monmouth United on Wednesday at Kewanee Wethersfield. Galva’s boys lost their regional opener at United last Saturday, 65-27.

Peoria Quest was to face Ridgewood in the other semifinal on Wednesday. Winners will play tonight at 7 p.m. at Wethersfield in the regional title game.

“We played consistently and did not have any scoring droughts through the game,” Stark County Coach Dustin Browning said. “Really followed our defensive gameplan and limited their drives to the basket.”

Browning said the Rebels also got a big boost from former coach Taul Noard, who is now coaching in Tipton, Iowa. Last year, several Stark County players went to see Noard’s team play in Tipton. This year, Noard returned the gesture by bringing Tipton fans to the regional opener.

“It really turned into a home game for us with their energy and enthusiasm,” Browning said. “It really was a huge part of the game and our players responded well to the student section and energy they brought.”

The Rebels gained the lead in the third quarter, as Luke Rewerts put in 10 of his team-high 21 points.

Stark County also shot 10-for-13 from the free throw line and was 7-for-8 in the fourth quarter to hold its lead down the stretch. R-W (16-16) was just 5-for-13 on free throws.

Daniel Kieser had 9 of his 19 points in the final quarter. Stark County also got 14 points from James Groter, 6 from Ethan Unhold, 4 from Xander Swank and 2 from Joey Harmon.

Graham Wight led R-W with 23 points and Carson Malek scored 18.
“They outshot us a little bit and outguarded us a little bit,” R-W Coach Bob Anderson said. “They’re kind of a versatile bunch.”

Stark County had won its regular-season finale at home over Lowpoint-Washburn, 61-43, on Feb. 16.

Anderson, 74, is 707-534 in 43 seasons and said he is uncertain about returning to coach next year.

“I’m going to sit back and look at things for awhile,” Anderson said.

6th Grade – Stark County’s 6th grade boys played in the Knoxville Tournament last weekend and went 4-1, beating Mercer County for the consolation shampionship. The 6th graders finished 13-3, with losses to Morton, Pekin and Mercer County.