Photo Gallery | SJO wins prelude to the State Farm title

Ty Pence and Logan Smith go after a loose ball

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence and Logan Smith go after a loose ball with Rockford Lutheran's Vontesz Dent during first quarter action at the 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic. The Spartans went on to defeat the Crusaders 72-69 to advance the tournament's small school bracket title game. Pence and Smith each scored 25 points to secure SJO's victory.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Maddux Carter dribbles the ball

Maddux Carter dribbles the ball away from a Crusader Marquise Haynes during first quarter action. Carter was held scoreless but was an essential part of the SJO's defensive effort.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith starts to accelerate

Spartan Logan Smith starts to accelerate past Crusaders' Marquise Haynes on a slash to the paint. The junior guard hit 11 shots from the field and knocked down three of his four free throw attempts to rack up 25 points.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Coy Taylor goes up for a shot

SJO's Coy Taylor goes up for a shot on a fastbreak play in the second quarter. The sophomore quietly contributed 10 points in the Spartans' victory.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith prepares to shoot

Guarded by two Rockford Lutheran players, Logan Smith hesitate before putting the ball up under the St. Joseph-Ogden basket.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Tanner Jacob takes a shot

Tanner Jacob puts the ball up as Crusaders' Keaton Peifer defends on the shot. Jacob missed the shot but would later make amends with a three-pointer in the second half of the contest.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence finds an open teammate under the basket

Ty Pence finds an open teammate under the basket during the second half. The Spartans led by six points at the break, 41-35.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith attacks the paint

Logan Smith attacks the paint. His relentless forays inside caused repeated headaches for the Crusaders, who were unable to match the 5-foot-9 guard's tenacity.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence scores 25

After being fouled on a shot, Ty Pence takes a moment recollect himself before heading the free throw line. Pence finished the game 5-for-7 from the line to share team-high scoring honors with teammate Logan Smith. Both players dropped 25 points for SJO.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith jets past Rockford Lutheran's Marquise Haynes

Logan Smith jets past Rockford Lutheran's Marquise Haynes in the fourth quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence leaps for a shot over a Rockford Lutheran player in the fourth quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence guarded by Marquise Haynes

SJO's Ty Pence lines up a run to the rim while being guarded by Crusaders' Marquise Haynes.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Another photo of Logan Smith

Logan Smith looks for an open teammate after his approach to the basket was blocked.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Kyle Duval takes a moment to pass along instructions to Logan Smith

Head coach Kyle Duval takes a moment to pass along instructions to Logan Smith during a lull between free throw attempts. A day later, Duval would become the first SJO basketball coach to win a State Farm Holiday Classic title. A staple in the field of competition, the Spartans have played in the tournament for the past 17 years.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

McGwire Atwood lets out an emotional burst celebrating

McGwire Atwood lets out an emotional burst celebrating SJO's semifinal win. The senior, who scored six points for the team, wrapped a loose ball after a steal attempt by the Spartans to seal the win.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Illinois State basketball commit Ty Pence celebrates the Spartans semifinal win as the team heads back to the bench. After the team's four games at the holiday tournament, Pence earned his second SFHC All-Tournament Team award.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Location: Bloomington, IL, USA