Jayvion Maxon returns to help El Paso-Gridley top Tremont

Jayvion Maxon has returned to action for El Paso-Gridley and the junior provided support as the Titans took care of business against Tremont. However, the results were not so shiny for Prairie Central’s boys and girls, or for Dwight’s boys in hoop action on Friday.

EPG 56, Tremont 40

Maxon played in first game since having knee surgery during football season for EPG. He contributed nine points as the Titans won for the second straight time.

Jack Hempstead was key in a Titans (6-9, 4-2) rally with a double double effort. Hempstead collected 11 points and 12 rebounds. Braden Hayes led EPG in scoring with 18 points. Cha’von Maxon added 8 points and Elijah Webster tossed in 6 markers.

The Titans began their comeback run in the second period. After falling behind 14-7 after the opening quarter, EPG marched back into contention by outscoring the Turks 16-11 in the second to cut the margin to 25-23.

El Paso-Gridley grabbed the lead early in the third and maintained a 35-32 edge by the start of the fourth period. Up by a 43-38 count, the Titans went on a 13-2 to close out the game and chalk up the Heart of Illinois Conference victory.

Griffin Meeker had a game-high 20 points for Tremont (10-8, 2-3).

Coal City 49, Prairie Central 40

COAL CITY — A poor shooting night and a possible hangover from playing Thursday were problems Prairie Central dealt with in its nonconference boys’ basketball game at Coal City. The Hawks were unable to overcome the maladies as they dropped a 49-40 decision to the Coalers.

"(It) wasn’t lack of effort, just not our night,” PC head coach Trevin McCulloh said. “(It was) a rough shooting night and (we had) some tired legs.”

The Hawks stayed close, they even held a lead in the second half. But PC had a run of one-and-done possessions that included number of missed 3-pointers in the second half.

A night spot was a nine-point run at the end of the first half and start of the second. Prairie Central scored a basket at the end of the second quarter to cut its deficit to 30-25, and then reeled of seven straight points to open the third frame in taking a 34-30 advantage.

The Coalers rallied with a run of their own to regain the advantage. Coal City also outshot the Hawks 23-2 from the free throw line, making 12 of the tosses. PC made both of its shots for a 10-point difference.

Bryson Gadberry scored 13 points and Spencer Ray tallied 11 to lead the Hawks (7-11). Easton Friedman added 7 points and Ashton Sheldrake scored 5 points.

Dane Noffsinger scored 14 points for the Coalers.

Roanoke-Benson 73, Dwight 54

ROANOKE — Host Roanoke-Benson fired off more points in the second quarter than Dwight managed in the first half in their Tri-County Conference basketball matchup Friday. The Rockets’ effort shot them to a 73-54 victory.

The Trojans trailed 17-13 after the opening lap, and then had trouble containing Roanoke as the hosts dropped 23 points on DTHS for a 40-20 halftime lead.

Dwight came out firing in the third period, outscoring the Rockets 20-13 to cut into the margin. But the Trojans were unable to sustain the momentum as Roanoke put the game away in the final frame.

Joe Duffy, Kayden Wook, Joey Starks and Trevor Jensen scored 10 points apiece to lead a balanced Dwight offense. Collin Bachand added 9 points.

BCC 65, Prairie Central 46

BLOOMINGTON — It wasn’t Prairie Central’s night as the Hawks suffered a 65-46 Illini Prairie Conference girls’ basketball loss to host Central Catholic Friday. It was the first league loss for PC.

Addi Donley led Prairie Central (10-11, 2-1). Cadyn Pride added 9 points while. Jules Woodrey and Jayla Hammond each scored 4 points.

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