Indians gain knowledge despite bowing out

By Erich Murphy

Bingo Magic Sports

Although a consolation thought to losing is calling it a learning experience. Some scoff at that idea, but there is truth in gaining an education at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament.

Take the host school, for instance. The Indians came into the 94th edition of the oldest holiday tournament in the country not being expected to find great success.

Although his team went 1-2, including a 66-58 loss to Bloom Township in the consolation semifinal round Wednesday morning, Pontiac head coach Matt Starker saw the experience as a positive.

“I’m proud of our guys, they showed their toughness,” Starker said. “We were right with them to the end. It shows our resiliency.”

Pontiac’s Anderson Horning, left, and Ben Melchers pressures Keiwon Gulley of Bloom Township in their consolation semifinal game of the 94th Pontiac Holiday Tournament Wednesday. Bloom topped the Indians 66-58. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

From the game’s perspective, the Indians and Blazing Trojans battled hard. There were six ties and six lead changes. The last tie came with 3:33 remaining in the contest when Amazin King buried a 3-pointer to make it 56-56.

Being able to rally against a team as long and athletic as Bloom is one of those learning experiences.

“You get a chance to go up against schools that are four times the size of ours, but we tell our kids we hope they learn from it, that they can play with anybody and can compete,” Starker said.

“Today, we were right there until the end. It’s a good battle test. We’ll be playing schools more our size and it gives us a chance to be ready for the postseason.”

Aden Brummel of Pontiac passes the ball while being pressured by Bloom’s Kaden McCullen in their consolation semifinal game of the 94th Pontiac Holiday Tournament Wednesday. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

As as going 1-2 in the tournament, Starker said the more important factor is that education. What did the Indians learn and how can they apply that knowledge.

“Every day we just try to learn and get the experience,” Starker said. “Getting back to Lincoln, I think we learned from it and we’ve handled the ball better since then. We just need to keep getting better as a team.

“There’s so many positives from this tournament. They play tough and showed they’re a pretty good team.”

The biggest lead of this game for Pontiac was 20-15 in the first quarter after a Cayden Masching triple. Bloom’s largest lead was 10 points, which it had three times.

Pontiac led 20-19 after the first quarter and Bloom held a 39-32 advantage at the intermission. The Tribe fought back to forge a 51-51 tie after three periods.

Amazin King of Pontiac launches a 3-point shot against Bloom. King scored 18 points in a loss in the consolation semifinal round of the 94th Pontiac Holiday Tournament Wednesday. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

Masching and King each scored 18 points to lead the Indians (9-3). Evan Wolf tossed in 9 markers and Ben Melchers scored 5. King also grabbed 8 rebounds.

Troy Garner and Keiwon Gulley tallied 18 points apiece for Bloom (7-6). Kaden McCullen added 12 points. The Blazing Trojans were to meet West Aurora in the consolation final Wednesday afternoon.