United tops Wethersfield in LTC tourney

By Jeff Lampe

KEWANEE – Monmouth United proved the seedings wrong with a 53-46 win over top-seed Kewanee Wethersfield Tuesday in the Lincoln Trail Conference boys basketball tournament.

Seeded No. 5 in the tournament, United (18-5) is 3-0 in LTC play heading into tonight’s matchup with Galva at 7:30 p.m. in Wethersfield’s Moss Gym.

United also owns tourney wins over Ridgewood (66-57 on Jan. 31) and Stark County (65-63 on Feb. 1) and is poised to play in Saturday’s 6 p.m. championship game with a victory tonight.

The other finalist will be decided by tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game between No. 2 seed Annawan and No. 3 seed Princeville, both of whom have gone 3-0 in tourney play.

Stingy defense has been the calling card for No. 3 seed Princeville in its first three LTC tourney games. After holding foes under 40 points in its first two LTC games last week, Princeville (21-3) was even stingier Tuesday night in a 68-30 win over ROWVA-Williamsfield.

Carter Johnson had a double-double for the Princes, with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Prior to that, the Princes had stifled Mercer County last Saturday (48-35) and West Central last Thursday (51-37). That the improved defense has occurred with Cody Thole back in the lineup after missing most of the season with a back injury is no coincidence, Coach Jeff Kratzer said.

“A lot of that can be attributed to Cody’s defense,” Kratzer said. “We knew he could bring that to the game and lock down on their best player. We’ve played pretty good defense this year, but with him back we’re better.”

Princeville also used balanced scoring to win its first two LTC games, with Cole Daily and Johnson tallying 10 apiece vs. West Central. West Central was down 31-30 after three quarters, but 6-for-13 from the free throw line in the fourth as the Princes took control.

Next up for Princeville is a Friday rematch with Annawan, the team that beat the Princes 17 days ago, 65-41.

“The boys are really looking forward to that rematch,” Kratzer said. “We did not play well against them after our game with Roanoke-Benson.”

Galva – The Wildcats (3-20) picked up a comeback win Friday over Stark County, 59-56. Down 36-28 at halftime, Galva “came out of the break playing with fire,” according to Coach Josh Harris. “Our zone traps led to turnovers and we were able to secure a comeback victory.”

Prior to that, the Wildcats lost to Wethersfield, 76-47, last Saturday and to Ridgewood last Thursday, 70-48. Tanner Lain and Brayden Collins each scored nine points for Galva against Wethersfield. Cal Clucas led with 12 points against Ridgewood.

Stark County – The Rebels’ best game so far came in a 65-63 loss to United last Saturday. Stark County (4-19) opened with a 16-9 lead before faltering. Kane Newton had 26 points, Ryan Murphy had 16 and James Groter had 14.”

Prior to that, the Rebels lost to Wethersfield for the third time this season, 63-43. Murphy had 18 points and Groter had 13.