Lions and Musketeers Battle in sectional play for Chance to Keep Playing

by Perry Stainbrook

The IHSAA boys basketball sectionals are upon us. In Washington County it was Salem and Eastern Pekin getting the win or go home round started in sectional 46 hosted by the Lions. In the first two minutes and fifteen seconds, it was all defense for both team. Kaiden Romero-Hembree had two big blocks on Chase Batt at the rim and the Musketeers played cohesively forcing the Lions into tough jump shots that clanged off of the rim. The first four minutes saw the score be four to three in favor of the Musketeers, Carson Albertson was the difference maker for the Lions in the final four minutes as he would bury two three point field goals to help the Lions close out the half on a eight to two run.

The second quarter the hot shooting continued for the Lions as they knocked down three more triples. The first triple was answered by Eastern's Carter Smith, but back to back Lions three's prompted a Musketeer timeout with 5:56 to go and Salem sporting a 20-9 lead. The teams would go into the locker room with the Lions doubling up the Musketeers in the first half as they led 32-16. The Musketeers came out in the third and extended their defense and took the ball hard to the rim. They made a run at the Lions but struggled to knock down their free throws as they went six for twelve from the line. This allowed Salem to maintain their double digit lead even with being outscored 11-9 in the quarter. The Lions would cruise in the fourth quarter to advance to the semi-finals on Friday night.

They will play Providence for a chance to go to the Championship. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. The Lions were led by Payton Shocke with 12 points. Other scorers for the Lions were Braxton Dean with 11, Evan Lloyd and Carson Albertson with 9, Kaiden Romero-Hembree and Ethan Larimore with 4, and Carter Reardon with 3. The Musketeers were led by Trenton Friedmeyer with 10, Brody Temple 8, Carter Smith and Jeffery Fowler 6, Eli Houghlin 4, Ty Stephan and Cordell Hurst each chipped in 2. The Musketeers will graduate only one senior in Brody Temple. With the bulk of the turn being young and eligible to return, they are looking to be much improved next season.