By Jeff Lampe
The Stark County boys basketball team is picking up some wins as Monday’s start of regional play approaches.
Ryan Murphy racked up 25 points Tuesday as Stark County (6-23, 3-4 Lincoln Trail Conference) topped ROWVA-Williamsfield, 58-53.
“We played well and finished extremely strong,” Rebels Coach Dustin Browning said. “Big minutes from Mathew McCauley in the second quarter when we were having some foul trouble. His seven points kept us within reach and gave us an opportunity to take over the game in the second half.”
Prior to that, Stark County lost last Friday’s home game with Ridgewood, 67-55, despite 36 points from Kane Newton.
The Rebels were to play Annawan at home on Wednesday and then close the regular season today at West Central.
Galva (3-27) dropped its last three, falling to Wethersfield last Friday (66-40), at Orion on Saturday (75-48) and at Annawan on Tuesday (73-61).
“We played with a lot of heart and fought hard all night,” Galva Coach Josh Harris said. “Julian Samuels finished with 35. We tried to focus on him and double him when we could, but he is a tremendous athlete.”
Tanner Lain led with 19 points against Annawan, while Brayden Collins had 14.
Galva allowed 20 offensive rebounds in its loss to Wethersfield. Tristan Rogers led with 10 points.
The Wildcats close the regular season today with a home game against Ridgewood.
In other Lincoln Trail action, Princeville (26-3) got a taste of what could come in the postseason with in an exciting 54-53 Monday win at Kewanee Wethersfield, a No. 5 seed that is also assigned to Princeville, where the host team is No. 2 seed.
“If you look at our regional, I would argue it’s the toughest one in the area and maybe even in the state,” Princeville Coach Jeff Kratzer said. “To be honest, I think both regionals (including Galva), are absolutely loaded.”
After trailing by as many as 18 to Wethersfield, Princeville rallied and won on Sam Streitmatter’s last-second 3-pointer.
Prior to that, the Princes won Saturday at Henry (80-62) and on Friday topped United at home, 71-61.
Princeville closes the regular season at Mercer County on Friday.
Here are regional pairings involving area teams.
CLASS 1A – GALVA REGIONAL
Monday, Feb. 24
Game 1 at 7 pm: (8) Ridgewood vs. (11) ROWVA-Williamsfield
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Game 2 at 6 pm: (4) Abingdon -Avon vs. (15) Galva
Game 3 at 7:30: (7) United vs. (13) West Central
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Semifinal 1 at 6 pm: (1) Peoria Quest vs. Winner Game 1
Semifinal 2 at 7:30: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3
Friday, Feb. 28
Championship at 7 pm: Semifinal Winners
CLASS 1A – PRINCEVILLE REGIONAL
Monday, Feb. 24
Game 1 at 6 pm: (2) Princeville vs. (14) Stark County
Game 2 at 7:30: (6) Elmwood vs. (9) Brimfield
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Game 3 at 6 pm: (3) Peoria Christian vs. (12) North Fulton
Game 4 at 7:30 pm: (5) Wethersfield) vs. (10) Peoria Heights
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Semifinal 1 at 6 pm: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Semifinal 2 at 7:30: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Friday, Feb. 28
Championship at 7:00 pm: Semifinal Winners.
