Smith puts on a superb show slipping Spartans past Unity

Braxton Waller (left) congratulates St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Smith after the basketball team's 73-72 overtime win at Unity (23-3) Friday evening at the Rocket Center. Smith had a career night, dropping a game-high 29 points on the Rockets' home court. The senior sunk the clutch, game-winning free throw in overtime to give SJO a 73-70 advantage with eight seconds on the clock. The Spartans improve to 23-6 and have nearly clinched the conference title (8-0) with one game to go in the regular season. Smith and the Spartans take their show on the road Tuesday to face Paxton-Buckley-Loda. More photos and game recap coming soon.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Leaving it on the floor, Rockets fall in OT

TOLONO - Unity's Henry Thomas drives to the paint in front of St. Joseph-Ogden's Luke Landrus. Thomas, who helped his team rally back from a 13-point third quarter deficit and into overtime, scored 27 points in their Illini Prairie home game against the Spartans. Exhausted, the Rockets (23-3) left it all out on the floor in front of nearly a packed house, suffering their third loss of the season by one 73-72. More photos and game recap coming soon.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Packed house expected at the Rocket Center

TOLONO - Around 7 p.m. tonight, the event local basketball fans have been waiting for has finally arrived. Unity will put their 23-2 record on the line against the 22-6 Spartans of St. Joseph-Ogden at the Rocket Center.

SJO, undefeated in conference play at 7-0, has defeated their last four opponents by 12 or more points. Earlier this week, the Spartans crushed Rantoul at home by 33 points. Tanner Jacob, who was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, led the team with 15 points in the senior night win.

Henry Thomas shoots a free throw during Unity's home game against Prairie Central. The senior scored his 1,000th career point earlier in the contest.

Photo: UnityPhotos/Jamie Price

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Coy Taylor, Tanner Siems, and Luke Landrus also finished in double figures with 14, 13, and 10 points, respectively.

Unity is also on a four-game win streak, posting wins over Newton, Auburn, IVC, and Central Catholic in contests since January 31.

Two weeks ago tonight, Rockets' Henry Thomas reached a prep career milestone while putting up 21 points on Prairie Central. The senior scored his 1,000th point, helping the team avoid a possible overtime decision against the Hawks in a 60-56 win.