Curie, Benet charge into quarterfinals

Second-seed Chicago (Curie) tested the water a bit when it opened its first-round game with Danville. But the Condors erupted in the second half to put the Vikings away in the final game of the first day of the 94th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Monday.

Third-seed Benet Academy simply overpowered Plainfield North in the final game of the afternoon session. Also posting bracket wins in the first round were Peoria (Manual) and Lockport.

Curie 70, Danville 36

It seemed like Curie was feeling out the competition, and then, boom, the Condors blew the game open. Curie led Danville 27-17 at the half, and then nearly doubled its total in the third quarter alone, putting up 26 to lead 53-26 into the last stanza.

Kendall Holiday of Curie flies in for a slam dunk. Holiday scored 12 points as the second-seeded Condors flew past Danville 70-36 at the 94th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament Monday. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

Dream Horton scored 14 points and Kendall Holiday chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds for the Condors (9-0). Kinder Mason tallied 8 points for the Vikings (3-4).

Benet 64, Plainfield North 28

Defending Class 4A state champion and PHT runner-up Benet used a stifling defense and consistent offense to move into the quarterfinal round with its win over Plainfield North. The Redwings held the Tigers to just seven points in the opening half, taking a 36-7 lead.

Blair Fagbemi of Benet Academy adjusts in midair to take a shot against Plainfield North. Fagbemi and Benet cruised past Plainfield North 64-28 at the 94th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament Monday. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

Jayden Wright scored 11 points as the only double-figure scorer for Benet (14-1), who had 11 players reach the scoring column. Carson Miller scored 10 points for Plainfield North (3-8).

Manual 72, Bloom Twp. 53

The game with the fastest pace on the day was Peoria (Manual) and Bloom Township. The Rams were able to get up to its preferred speed in the third quarter when they outscored the Blazing Trojans by 17 points to extend a two-point halftime lead to 53-34 by the start of the fourth period.

Reginald Postelwaite of Peoria (Manual) adjusts on a spin move to take a shot against Bloom Township at the 94th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Postelwaite scored 15 points as the Rams topped Bloom 72-53. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

Jaquan Brown had 19 points and 6 rebounds for Manual (7-2). Reginald Postelwaite added 15 points with Joshua Humbles chipping in 13 and Tahj Tolliver throwing in 12. Troy Garner scored 20 points for Bloom (5-6).