Woodland captures first basketball regional title since 1989

Woodland has been enjoying quite a run this season. The Warriors have surpassed 20 wins, won a conference title and, on Friday, secured a regional championship for the first time in more than 35 years by knocking out Newark 57-38 at the Warrior Dome.

Woodland joins Pontiac and Ridgeview as Bingo Magic Sports area teams to advance to the sectional level in boys’ basketball.

Woodland 57, Newark 38

At Woodland, a fast start got the host Warriors rolling in the Class 1A Woodland Regional final. Getting on top early was key as the Norsemen rallied in the middle two periods.

Led by four Nolan Price 3-pointers in the first eight minutes, WHS put up 22 points in taking a 14-point lead after the opening frame. But Newark outscored the Warriors 15-13 in the second to trim the margin to 35-23, and then 10-5 in the third to make the difference 40-33 by the start of the fourth quarter.

Woodland caught its second wind, outscoring the Norse 17-5 to close the door on Newark’s season.

Price finished with 17 points, but only two came in the second half, to lead Woodland (25-9). Jaron Follmer added 15 points and Nate Berry checked in with 14. Brezdyn Simons scored 6 points.

This is the first regional title for the Warriors since 1989. Woodland advances to the Amboy Sectional where it will face Shabbona (Indian Creek) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Warriors lost 49-41 to the Timberwolves (25-6) earlier this season. The other game pits Ottawa (Marquette) against Hinckley-Big Rock.

Bishop McNamara 66, EPG 52

At Herscher, Bishop McNamara used a 19-point run in the first half to take control of the Class 2A Herscher Regional final against El Paso-Gridley Friday.

The Irish trailed 14-6 when they reeled off 19 straight points at the end of the first quarter and start of the second. Although EPG regained its footing, the difference at the half favored top-seeded Bishop McNamara 35-27.

Braden Hayes helped a third-quarter charge bring the Titans to within three, at 40-37, but Bishop Mac led 49-42 heading into the final frame.

Size favored the Irish as they blocked eight shots on the night in improving to 27-5.

Hayes finished with 22 points to pace El Paso-Gridley (17-14). Jayvion Maxon added 13 points while Cha’von Maxon scored 5 points.

Callaghan O’Connor led Bishop Mac with 22 points and Karter Krutsinger was right behind with 21. Coen Demark scored 15 points.

Bishop McNamara will play Wilmington (22-9) Tuesday at the Seneca Sectional. The other game will be Pontiac (20-8) against Yorkville Christian (22-10) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The final will be Friday.

Ridgeview 47, Lexington 46, OT

At Lexington, it took overtime but Ridgeview was able to leave The Fort with a 47-46 victory over co-op football partner Lexington Friday, taking the Class 1A Lexington Regional title with it.

The game was close throughout as the Mustangs led 12-11 after the first quarter and 24-23 at the intermission. Ridgeview still maintained its slim advantage, 38-37, through three periods.

The Minutemen (22-11) came back in a low-scoring fourth frame to gain that one point and force overtime with the score knotted at 43-43. Ridgeview eked out the win by outscoring Lexington 4-3 in the extra period.

Ridgeview (23-9) will face Decatur (Unity Christian) (30-3) in the semifinals of the Schlarman Sectional on Wednesday. LeRoy (30-2) will take on St. Thomas More (14-16) Tuesday. The final will be Friday.

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