SJO boys bounce back at holiday tournament

After suffering a three-point loss the day before, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys basketball team bounce back to win their first bout in the consolation bracket at the State Farm Classic on Thursday. SJO defeated Peoria Lutheran 61-53 thanks to double digit production from three key players.

Jack Cook delivered another team-high performance with 16 points. Chance Izard and Joel Orcutt matched scores for a second straight day with 13 points each. Keanen Swansen added another 9 to round out the top three scorers. Payton Cain and Brayden Weaver came off the bench to chip in 8 and 2 points, respectively.

Izard was stellar from the line draining all four attempts.

The Crusaders were led by Gabe Meister with a game-high 18 points and Braden Tilson with 10. Tilson and teammate Josh Grindinger shot 100% from the free throw line. Tilson was 6-for-6, while Grindinger hit 2-for-2 in Friday's quarterfinal.

The Spartans advance to face Winnebago in the consolation semifinal on Friday at 2 p.m..