After long, dramatic hiatus due to the state's attempt to keep the number of positive cases at manageable level for hospitals around the state, the Unity boys basketball program was finally back in action last week and the squad has a few moving parts to oil.
Despite their best effort, the Rockets dropped the road contest against Maroa-Forsyth in unsatisfying 58-36 loss.
"We did not shoot well last night," said head coach Matt Reed after the game. The Rockets were just made just seven of their 20 attempts from the free throw line. "Our top three offensive weapons, coming into the season, went a combined 5-29 from the field. Tough to win on the road with that kind of shooting."
Maroa-Forsyth led 19-8 after the first quarter and allowed Unity just six second quarter points to close out the first half with a comfortable 32-14 lead. The Trojans kept their foot on the gas until the final quarter behind the efforts of Riley Jackson and Egan Franzen, both who were in double figures at the half to pace their program's victory last Tuesday.
Unity was led by sophomore Austin Langendorf with 8 points. Junior guard Blake Kimball had seven, Brady Porter scored six and Dillon Rutledge finished with five points.
Only five of the Rockets' 30 shots from beyond the arc found their way through the hoop.
Normally, the program would be preparing for a deep playoff run in the IHSA postseason but this season's pandemic restricted six-week schedule Reed said he has a different focus.
"We are looking to continue to develop our players for next season, while also giving the seniors the best possible basketball experience they can have."
Unity (0-2), after a loss to Paris on three days ago, will host two home games this week in search of their first pair of wins this season.
Tomorrow night, Illinois Valley Central (1-1) will ride into town. Last week the Grey Ghost knocked off Peoria Christian 67-62 with impressive point productions from seniors Holt Geltmaker, a University of Illinois baseball commit, with 17 points and Kam Wollard, who contributed another 14 points.
At the end of the week on Friday, the Rockets invited Pontiac to the Rocket Center for their second Illini Prairie matchup this week. Varsity tipoff is scheduled for 7pm.
| Unity | 8 | 6 | 11 | 11 | - 36 |
| Maroa-Forsyth | 19 | 13 | 18 | 8 | - 58 |
Kimball 3 (0) 1-6 - 7, Cowan 4 (0) 0-0 - 4, Hensch 0 (0) 1-4 - 1, Rutledge 1 (1) 0-0 - 5, Knoll 0 (0) 1-2 - 1, Porter 0 (2) 0-0 - 6, Drennan 0 (0) 1-2 - 1, Price 0 (1) 0-0 - 3, Langendorf 1 (1) 3-6 - 8, Alt 0 (0) 0-0 - 0, Jokisch 0 (0) 0-0 - 0.
Maroa-Forsyth
Jostes 0 (0) 0-1 - 0, Gilbert 3 (1) 0-0 - 9, Jackson 3(3) 2-3 - 17, Franzen 5 (0) 5-7 - 15, Bellazhi 1 (0) 2-2 - 4, Blunck 2 (0) 0-0 - 4, Ohlemeyer 2 (0) 1-2 - 5.
