Unity stings visiting Nashville in quarterfinal romp, Rockets readying for semifinal at Monticello

Garrett Richardson picks up a Unity first down, bouncing off of Nashville's Grady Kirchner. Two plays later, the senior, who finished with 205 all-purpose yards, would score the first of four touchdowns in Saturday's home game.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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TOLONO — Long before the game ended, Unity's first-string was chillin' in the waning November sunlight, singing Sweet Caroline and practicing their Cupid Shuffle steps on the sideline. It took a little more than 28 minutes for them to earn their R&R and from time to time cheer on a big play by fellow JV players. By now, the Rockets punched their ticket to the Illinois Class 3A state semifinals in commanding fashion, overwhelming the Nashville Hornets 47-24 in Saturday's quarterfinal matchup at Hicks Field.

The Rockets (9-3), who have surged since a midseason loss to Bloomington Central Catholic, showcased their dominance on both sides of the ball. Nashville (10-2), riding a nine-game win streak and averaging 40 points per game, managed just six points against Unity's varsity defense before scoring three touchdowns late against the Rockets' junior varsity.

A Unity student fan cheers during the second half after another touchdown.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity wasted no time establishing control, scoring on every possession of the first half. Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger led a high-powered Unity offense, throwing four touchdown passes and showcasing precision under playoff pressure.

"I think getting the wind at our backs in the first quarter really helped us," Unity head coach Scott Hamilton said, summarizing the explosive first-quarter barrage of scoring. "Special teams pinned them down early and our defense did a good job. We were able to get on the board early and kept rolling from there. We took them out of what they [Nashville] do."

Garrett Richardson, the team’s workhorse running back, opened the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. He followed that with a 50-yard touchdown reception, catching a perfect spiral over his shoulder from Eisenmenger and racing into the end zone untouched.

Eisenmenger spread the wealth among his receiving corps, connecting with Mason O’Neill for a leaping touchdown catch in the back of the end zone and hitting Brady Parr for a 10-yard score early in the second quarter. With 6:21 remaining in the half, wide receiver Tre Hoggard added a rushing touchdown, barreling through the Hornets' defense to make it 35-6 at halftime.

Unity’s defense was equally impressive, with Tyler Henry snagging three interceptions, one of which set up O’Neill’s touchdown. Henry, whose father holds the Illinois high school record for career interceptions, came within two yards of a pick-six after a dazzling 55-yard return.

"I was in the right spot," Henry said, still pumped up from the quarterfinal victory and his three interceptions. He had multiple chances earlier in the season to pick off a pass or two but always came up short. Today was different. "I just saw the ball in the air, and I just went and got it.

Tyler Henry is pulled down from behind by Hornets' Brynner Inman after grabbing his second interception against Nashville. The junior finished the day with three picks and has 54 tackles going into the game with Monticello later this week.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Richardson capped Unity’s scoring in the third quarter with a short touchdown run, pushing the lead to 47-6 and activating the running clock. Nashville managed three late touchdowns against Unity’s reserves, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Richardson finished the day with 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass, highlighting his versatility and value to the Rockets’ offense. Eisenmenger, who completed 15 of 18 passes for 217 yards, displayed poise and efficiency, finding four different targets for touchdowns.

Hoggard led all receivers with 10 catches for 109 yards, while Parr and O’Neill made the most of their opportunities, each snagging a touchdown in critical moments.

Caden Hench was a busy bee, collecting 11 tackles in two and half quarters against the Hornets. The heavy hitting done, he other members of the starting defense soak up the moment, knowing they will play another game in seven days.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Unity’s defense was relentless, holding a potent Nashville offense in check for most of the game. Junior linebacker Caden Hensch led the way with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, while Coleton Langendorf added two sacks. Ryan Rink contributed six tackles in a gritty defensive effort.

"We knew they were a run heavy team. Once we stopped the run, our DB's are all good enough to stop the pass," Henry said. "We all settled in and it was game from there."

Special teams were another key factor, consistently flipping field position in Unity’s favor and containing Nashville’s return game. Bailey’s accurate kicking provided the Rockets with crucial extra points to sustain momentum.

Hamilton said the defensive unit did a thorough job preparing for the Hornets. He was happy with how the Rockets came out ready to play, immediately taking control of the game on their first possession, and keeping their foot on the gas.

"Our defense did a great job putting them in tough field position," he said, complimenting their execution during the 27 minutes they were in the game and adjusting to the different offensive schemes. "We know next week we'll have to adjust to something new again. We will be ready for the challenge."

The Rockets now turn their attention to a semifinal clash with Illini Prairie Conference rival Monticello (10-2) next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Monticello. Unity won the teams’ Week 9 matchup 42-28, but the stakes are much higher this time with a berth in the state championship game on the line.

"I think it will be a good game," Henry said. "They are a good team. We played them earlier in the season and we won. We'll have a long week of practice, and we'll be good."

The winner will face either Montini (10-2) or Wilmington (12-0) for the Class 3A title on Nov. 29 at Redbird Stadium in Normal.

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While players on the Nashville sidelines were likely singing the blues, Jaden Dene and three fellow players joined in together during a time out to sing the chorus to "Sweet Caroline" with the student fans behind them. The Rockets are one game away from another state final appearance, the last in November 2021.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Keywords: Unity Rockets football, Nashville Hornets playoff game, Illinois Class 3A state semifinals, Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger leads Unity, Garrett Richardson unstoppable, Unity vs. Monticello rematch

Looking Back | Unity loss sets up 5-game win streak

With the hectic 2022-23 season behind us, we want to use the summer to catch up publishing some of the great moments we captured this season but didn't have the time or resources to publish. Here is The Sentinel's next installment of our summer feature called Looking Back. Visit our website weekly for more photo features.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity's Andrew Thomas tries to dribble past Normal U-High Christian Mckee during their Christie Clinic Shootout game on Saturday, January 7. The Rockets fell 56-48 to the Pioneers. See more photos from the game.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Rockets' Henry Thomas goes up for a shot on Pioneers' Christian Mckee. Unity was unable to recover from a nine-point, first-half deficit in the shootout at St. Joseph-Ogden.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity's Dalton O'Neill tries to dribble past Normal U'High's Jonah Harms. The Rockets dropped to 8-7 on the season after the loss.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Junior Dalton O'Neill bobbles the ball in front of Pioneers' Mason Hooper.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity head coach Matt Reed yells instructions to players on the floor in the second half. The Rockets went on to win the next five games on the sechedule after the 56-48 loss to the Pioneers. See more photos from the game.

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Despite team-wide scoring effort, too many turnovers sink Rockets in home loss to visiting Pioneers

TOLONO - For nearly three quarters, Unity’s varsity basketball squad kept the pedal to the metal, building a 29-21 halftime lead over visiting Normal University High School (10-6). Eight players contributed to the Rockets’ advantage, with Brady Parr, Dane Eisenmenger, Colton Langendorf, and Tre Hoggard combining for 21 of the team’s 29 points. However, Unity (8-6) couldn’t sustain its first-half intensity and ultimately fell, 56-45.

Crewe Eckstein takes a shot during Unity's home game against Normal University. Going 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, the junior finished the night with six points. Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Langendorf led Unity with 11 points, while Parr finished with nine. Crewe Eckstein contributed six points, and Mason O’Neill, Hoggard, and Eisenmenger chipped in five points each at the Rocket Center.

Plagued by turnovers and nursing a two-to-six-point lead through the third quarter, Unity allowed U-High to capitalize on nearly every possession change. The Pioneers took a 37-36 lead with eight seconds left in the frame after scoring four unanswered baskets.

U-High’s A.J. Holden opened the fourth quarter with a basket, putting his team ahead 39-36. Unity answered with a bucket from Langendorf, his final points of the game, to pull within 39-38. Eckstein hit a crucial shot for the Rockets after the Pioneers’ Owen Kirby scored, keeping it close at 42-40.

Taking advantage of Unity’s uncharacteristic defensive and shooting slump, the Pioneers shifted into high gear, going on a 10-point run. Stretching their slim two-point lead to 12, U-High maintained control late to secure the road win.

U-High's Cameron Johnson tries to dribble around Unity's Crewe Eckstein. Johnson finished the night with a game-high 22 points against the Rockets. Click here to see more photos from this game.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A silver lining for the Rockets was their perfect performance at the free-throw line. Langendorf, Eckstein, and Parr combined to go 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.

The Pioneers’ Cameron Johnson led all scorers with 22 points, including 14 in the second half. Kirby also reached double digits with 11 points, while sophomore Devin Fitzgerald added eight in the nonconference victory.

Hoping to reset later this week, Unity travels to Maroa-Forsyth on Friday for another nonconference game. The Rockets will return to action at 6 p.m. Saturday against Fieldcrest at St. Joseph-Ogden’s Christie Clinic Shootout.

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More Unity sports ~

• Unity football coach announces retirement after 31 seasons
• Team effort fuels Unity's 15-point win over Paris
• Unity says farewell to 2024 with a win a Christmas tournament

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Rockets' title quest stopped short in epic Class 3A battle

Unity and Byron delivered a championship matchup for the ages, breaking 10 records in a 56-50 Byron win. The Rockets’ passing attack and the Tigers’ rushing game rewrote IHSA history.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Dane Eisenmenger avoids a sack attempt from Byron's Zion Gautier during first quarter action in the Class 3A championship game at Hancock Stadium. The All-State quarterback passed for 541 yards against the Tigers.

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NORMAL - Records didn’t just fall during Friday’s Class 3A state championship — they shattered in waves. Ten IHSA marks were rewritten in a game that roared from start to finish, delivering an offensive spectacle unlike anything the title stage had seen, before coming down to a single fourth-and-goal throw with 16 seconds left. Byron held its ground in the final moments, denying Unity at the goal line to close out a 56-50 thriller that instantly joins the list of all-time great championship finishes.

The teams combined for 106 points, breaking the previous title-game scoring record of 89 set in 2006 when St. Joseph-Ogden and Plano traded blows in another classic shootout. Their 1,211 total yards also set a new 3A championship standard, with Unity responsible for 652 of them — a new team record. Individually, the numbers were just as staggering. Byron running back Cade Considine ran for 371 yards, a new championship record, and finished with 430 all-purpose yards. Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger broke five marks of his own: 541 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 42 completions and 65 attempts. Tyler Henry set the new receptions record with 16 and added three scores.

Despite entering the week labeled the underdog, Unity kept swinging. The Rockets led 29-28 at halftime and went toe-to-toe with a Byron team making its third straight title-game appearance. The Tigers, who have reached the championship every other year since 2021, completed another perfect 14-0 season and extended their streak of title wins to three — 2021, 2023 and now 2025.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Virtually unstoppable, Byron's Caden Considine runs the ball for a Tiger first down.

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Considine’s performance carried Byron throughout the night. “I think he saved his best for last,” head coach Jeff Boyer said. “He has been a great player here at Byron. Maybe one of the best who has ever played here. He’s a kid that wasn’t going to let us lose.”

While leaning on their dependable ground attack, Byron junior Andrew Talbert provided timely support through the air, completing four of five passes for 98 yards, though he did throw one interception.

Eisenmenger’s record-breaking night was fueled by his trio of reliable targets, each showing exceptional hands and speed. Tyler Henry led the Unity receiving corps with 16 catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Tre Hoggard added two scores and a game-high 189 yards on 12 receptions, while Mason O’Neill joined the 100-yard group with six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Unity was held scoreless in the third quarter but made a furious charge late. Down 56-43 with 6:01 left, Eisenmenger tossed a six-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to six with 2:00 remaining. The Rockets then executed a perfect onside kick and recovered at the Byron 45, pushing the stadium into full suspense. Eisenmenger guided Unity to a first-and-goal, and two plays later the Rockets stood on the 13-yard line after a costly penalty.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity kick off team celebrates the recovery of an onside kick on the 49-yard line in the fourth quarter. With two minutes left to play, the Rockets had a minute and 46 seconds to at least tie the score or win the game outright, and came up short after 13 plays.

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With the season down to one snap, Eisenmenger rolled right and fired toward the end zone. Considine, playing linebacker, read the play and broke up the pass, sealing the Tigers’ victory and leaving Unity inches short — just as St. Joseph-Ogden had been in its memorable 2006 duel.

“I never had a doubt that we would be with them right there to the end,” first-year Unity head coach Tony Reetz said. “These kids have given us no reason to believe that we were ever out of the game. These guys have battled all year long. They’ve been on the ropes before. We came out on top, obviously. There was just one game we came up one play short.”

Unity finishes its season 12-2, earning the school’s seventh runner-up trophy — and its first in the Reetz era following six under longtime coach Scott Hamilton. It was a game that pushed boundaries, rewrote history, and ended with the Rockets leaving everything they had on the field.

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More Unity Sports Articles

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IHSA 3A championship record game, Unity vs Byron 2025 football, Illinois high school football title history, high-scoring IHSA playoff games, Byron Tigers state championship

Team effort fuels Unity's 15-point win over Paris

Coleton Langendorf dribbles down the baseline during Unity's home game against Paris. The junior scored 21 against the visiting Tigers. See more photos from the game here.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Less than 24 hours after beating the Tri-Valley Vikings by 19, Unity picks up a second victory by 15 over visiting Paris.

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TOLONO - The Rockets (8-5) start 2025 with back-to-back wins, the latest coming on Saturday at home against Paris. It took a team effort, with nine members contributing to the victory, for Unity to reverse a first-half 13-point deficit in the 65-50 win over the Tigers.

Scoreless in the first quarter, Coleton Langendorf hit his stride in the last two frames to lead the Rockets' offensive effort with 21 points. Tre Hoggard reached double digits, dropping 15 points on the Tigers. Mason O'Neill rounded out the top three scorers for Unity with seven points.

Despite losing the opening tip, Paris took an early 6-0 and stretched it into a 20-7 advantage by the end of the first quarter.

"Give Paris credit. They played really good out of the gate," said Unity head coach Matt Franks. "We were just sluggish. I have to give credit where credit is due. They played really well."

Sluggish. Yeah, a less than 24-hour turnaround after a tough game the night before does that to young legs.

"We had a really hard-fought game at Tri-Valley," he explained. "You could see that in our legs early. We didn't make shots early and it kind of snowballed."

Unity knocked off the 10-4 Vikings on the road, 60-41.

Down by 13 at the start of the second quarter, Dane Eisenmenger started the Rocket comeback hitting two free throws. The junior delivered the next UHS bucket to cut the lead to nine. Making every trip to the free throw line count, Unity converted on six of nine attempts along with three shots from Langendorf and another from Hoggard. By halftime, Unity trailed by three, 26-23.

"Our guys settled down and settled into the game, and were able to make enough plays," Franks said. He credited Unity's brutal early season schedule for the comeback. "Our first 11 games, eight of them were either 3A or 4A opponents. We played a really tough schedule early. It's done a good job preparing us for this stretch."

The Rockets' momentum continued in the second half to a 31-30 advantage. The two teams exchanged leads briefly before Unity slid ahead by four after Hoggard banked a layup off the glass at the end of the third period to up 40-36.

Thanks to eight fourth-quarter points from Langendorf and six points from Brayden Henry, Unity racked up a 15-point lead while limiting Paris to just 11.

Jackson Rigdon scored 27 points for Paris, 15 of those coming in the first half. The 5'10" senior drained five treys and went 4-for-6 from the free throw line. Juniors Carter Eastham and Karic Vitale contributed eight points each in the non-conference loss.

Hoping for a packed house, the Unity is back in the Rocket Center on Tuesday at 7 PM, hosting Normal University High (9-6). Like the Rockets, the Pioneers started the season facing larger basketball programs. U-High, who enters the game 3-0 against Illini Prairie Conference teams, notched victories over Bloomington, Normal West, and Rochester.

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Prep Sports Notebook |Langendorf leads Unity to win, Peoples drop 39 points in loss

Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden and Uni-High pick up early season victories in our area basketball recap. Bismark-Henning-Rossville-Alvin's Keison Peoples scores 39.

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Boys Basketball

ST. JOSEPH - Nolan Franzen led the Spartans to a 66-30 win over Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at the Toyota of Danville Classic on Tuesday. Senior Parker Fitch and sophomore Lane McKinney led six other SJO players in the season-opening victory with 11 and 10 points, respectively. ALAH was led by senior Easton Frederick with eight points and got five more from Will Hilligoss. Marcus Otto chipped in two field goals.

Read the SJO vs ALAH recap here

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Unity starts season with a win despite Peoples' 39 points

TOLONO - Coleton Langendorf made a quick transition from all-conference football defensive lineman to hardcourt force, leading Unity to a 53-46 win over Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin on Tuesday at the Rocket Center. The senior finished with 17 points and converted five of his seven trips to the free-throw line.

Nine other Rockets contributed to the win. Mason O'Neill finished with nine points, and Brayden Henry added six to round out the top three scorers.

It was a one-on-five situation for the Blue Devils, who relied on 6-foot-4 Keison Peoples to keep the game competitive. The senior scored 39 points against the Rockets and drew 24 fouls from their defense. Eighteen of his points came from the free-throw line.

BHRA's Darin Farr led the team's rebounding effort, snagging seven.

Duplicating last year's tough early-season schedule, the Rockets host Rochester on Friday for a nonconference matchup.

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Hawks drop home game to Illineks

BROADLANDS - An explosive fourth quarter was not enough for the Hawks to get over the hump in their nonconference game against visiting Urbana University High on Tuesday. Trailing by 16 at the half, the Hawks rallied but fell short in a 48-40 loss. Brayden Jones, who went 4-for-4 from the line, led Heritage with 13 points, five assists and nine rebounds. Sophomore Cameron Johnson added 10 points, and Clark Roland chipped in nine. James Dillon rounded out the scoring with six points and six rebounds. The Hawks return to action Saturday for a 2:15 p.m. game at Chrisman.

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Area Scoreboard

Toyota of Danville Classic

Paxton-Buckley-Loda 58, Cissna Park 47
Bishop McNamara 60, Charleston 37

Other area game results

Centennial 80, Rantoul 40

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32 juniors make Unity's first semester high honor roll

Malia Fairbanks, Phillip Hartke and Grace Renfrow are three of 32 members of the junior class who achived a grade point average of 3.75 or better at Unity High after the first semester. Forty-eight students from the class of 2024 will also be recognized as high honors students on January 26 along with the entire list of students below who made the honor roll or attained high honors status from their efforts between August 19 and December 22.

Students earning a GPA of 3.20 to 3.74 are recognized as honor students.

Seniors

High Honor: Emma Aders; Evelyn Atkins; Rachel Branson; Marissa Charleston; Gracie Cox; Brooke Garretson; Shay Haluzak; Maggie Hewing; Elizabeth Hulilck; Taylor Joop, Olivia Kleiss; Madelyn Moore; Korie Novak; Kimberely Pruitting; Daisy Rawlings; Annie Schmidt; Mia Shannon; Lillian Styan; Jonah Sullivan; Cerra Thompson; and Kyleigh Weller.

Honor: Caroline Bachert; Alyson Bagwell; Brandon Bates; Isabella Bryant; Corbin Cox; Summer Day; Nathan Drennan; Corrina Duvall; Emma Felsman; Shannon Flavin; Alyssa Hartman; Ellen Henning; William Jokisch; Evan LeFaivre; Emily Lopez; Suzanne Migut; Andrew Miller; Aubryanna Norman; Connor ODonnell; Brady Porter; Chloee Reed; Conner Sharp; Ryan Vasey; Nolan Wallace; Caden Wingler; and Laela Zook.

Juniors

High Honor: Katelyn Allen; Marie Baxley; Emma Bleecher; Zayne Bonner; Grace Brock; Sarah Butler; Thomas Cler; Sophia Darnell; Nolan Decker; Allyson England; Malia Fairbanks; Harper Hancock; Cameran Hansen; Phillip Hartke; Elise Johnson; Annabell Jokisch; Delaney Kamradt; Carli Keller; Lauryn Kennedy; Carson Kleparski; Addison Montgomery; Sydney Olson; Kaitlyn Reedy; Grace Renfrow; Samantha Ruggieri; Allison Shonkwiler; Sara Steffens; Erika Steinman; Shelbee Taylor; Isabella Warner; and Destiny Williamson.

Honor: Savannah Alagna; Cody Broadfoot; Calli Chandler; Marshall Church; Kystal Crossin; Evelyn Eastin; Hunter Evans; Hailey Flesch; Grace Frye; Tristania Hansen; Bridget Henry; Taylor Henry; Tyler Hensch; Clayton Jamison; Payton Kaiser; Blake Kimball; Macie Knudsen; Alexandrea Lemon; Alida Maggio; Claire Markstahler; Cameron Marvin; Hanna Mataya; Nolan Miller; Cole Newell; Konnor Orwick; Trustan Price; Madeline Reed; Dillion Rutledge; Alaina Scroggins; Kelley Street; and Taylor Wiersema.

Sophomores

High Honor: Rachel Aders; Caleb Amias; Emily Anderlik; Emmalee Atkins; Mary Bryant; Anthony Chaney; Anna Clark; Lauren Cooke; Hunter Duncan; Brendan Graven; Roger Holben; Erin Lopez; Andrew Manrique; Jayci McGraw; Jolie Meyer; Lauren Miller; Dylan Moore; Andrew Mowrer; Mason Perry; Abigail Pieczynski; Julia Ping; Audrey Remole; Sarah Rink; Reece Sarver; Kaitlyn Schweighart; Annabelle Steg; Raena Stierwalt; Sophia Stierwalt; Avery White; and Luke Williamson.

Honor: Calvin Baxley; Maria Buffo; Haley Carrington; Jayden Clem; Annah Cloin; Joshua Davidson; Paige Farney; Boden Franklin; Brandon Goyne; Haylen Handal; Tyler Liffick Worrell; Kayla Nelson; Ellen Ping; Cale Rawdin; Alivia Renfoe; Emma Stratton; Emmilia Tieman; Ava Vasey; Garrett Wingler; and Kara Young.

Freshmen

High Honor: Evelyn Albaugh; Payton Bradley; Connor Cahill; Analyse Carter; Rebecca Carter; Kendra Cromwell; Desire De Los Santos; Taylor Drennan; Natalie Ellars; Bailey Grob; Madison Henry; Brooke Hewing; Shelby Hoel; Caroline Jamison; Eden Johnson; Cassidy Keller; Caelyn Kleparski; Reagan Little; Zachary Lorbiecki; Tatum Meyer; Eric Miebach; Katelyn Moore; Lauren Neverman; Dalton O’Neill; Anna Polonus; Ava Price; Meredith Reed; Maci Richmond; Briana Ritchie; Isaac Ruggieri; Aubrey Sanders; Aubrey Schaefer; Olivia Shike; Grant Siuts; Logan Siuts; Carsyn Smith; Piper Steele; Lily Steffens; Brock Suding; Ruby Tarr; Andrew Thomas; Henry Thomas; Breanna Weller; Jeremy Wells; Erica Woodard; Abigail Woolcott; Emberly Yeazel; and Madysen York.

Honor: Brendan Bachert; Kiersten Bash; Nathan Bleecher; Brenlee Dalton; Elianna Duo; Kamryn Edenburn; Emma Fish; Mike Gray; Margaret Ingleman; Bayleigh Jones; Jocelyn LeFaivre; Trevor McCarter; Dean Niswonger; Gabriel Pound; Zachary Renfrow; James Rennels; Amelia Rinella Flores; Santiago Sanchez Castillo, Erin Sanders; McKayla Schendel; Carly Scroggins; Matthew Short; Josephine Stierwalt; Lynndsay Talbott; Kate Thomas; Aileen Vasquez Munoz; Aidan Ward; Bailey Wayne; Bryson Weaver; Kolten Wells; and Tanner Wells.

Running down the Christie Clinic Shootout, our Sunday morning recap

Kankakee's Larenz Walters goes up for a shot in the fourth quarter in this team's Christie Clinic Shootout game against Peoria Notre Dame. The Kays, who led much of the first three quarters, fell to the Irish 51-46 on Saturday. Walters tallied a game-high 24 points in the loss.

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Peoria Notre Dame 51 - Kankakee 46
A lackluster third-quarter performance by Kankakee erased a nine-point halftime lead over Notre Dame. The Irish outscored the Kays 13-3 in the period on the way to a 51-46 win in the final game of the day at the Christie Clinic Shootout.

Larenz Walters drained a game-high 24 points for the Kays and was the only player from his bench to score in the third quarter. Jahiem Porter finished with eight points, and Kennarious Chandler chipped in six more in the loss.

The Irish were paced by Cooper Koch's 23 points. Missing just one of his 12 free throw attempts, the junior unleashed a 13-point fourth-quarter eruption to keep the chance for victory out of the Kays' reach. Teammate Eoin Dillon was the only other player finishing in double-digits with 12 points.

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St. Joseph-Ogden 59 - Nashville 35 The Spartans beat last year's Class 2A state champions with ease. SJO's starting five put the game on cruise control in the third quarter.

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Normal U-High 56 - Unity 48
Henry Thomas, who finished with a team-high 13 points, was solid in the paint for the Rockets while senior Will Cowan tossed in four treys for 12 points in a hard-fought battle against the Pioneers. Jay Saunders and Dalton O'Neill contributed seven points apiece in the loss.

Down by one at the break, U-High's Ty Blake lept into action delivering nine of this team's 13 points in the third frame. Blake finished with 23 points and a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. Mason Funk piled on another 13 points over four quarters in the win for the Pioneers.

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Mount Zion 70 - Bloomington 49
The Braves (17-2) had a foursome finish in double-figures on their way to knocking off the Raiders in the midday game at the Shootout. Carson Cuddy led all scorers from both sides of the scorer's table with 22 points, 13 tallied in the third quarter.

JC Anderson drained 12 points across his first three quarters in the fray and finished with 14 points. Lyncoln Koester and Grant Mcatee each chipped in 12 points for the Apollo Conference frontrunners.

Bloomington (3-11) trailed at the half 51-46 and mustered just 23 points the remainder of the contest.

Niko Newsome paced BHS with 21 points and Adam Beasley put up 16 to lead their team.

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Centennial 39 - Addison Trail 34
Picking up their fifth win of the season, the Chargers (5-7) worked their way out of a 12-point deficit to slide past the Blazers in the lowest-scoring game of the day at the shootout. Silent during the first half, Preston Sledge collected all of his game-high 14 points in the second half.

Addison Trail's Charles Little, Jr., led his squad with 11 points. Joey Morales put in four field goals in the second quarter and one in the third to finish the day with 10 points.

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Beecher 64 - Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 48
The Bobcats (17-1) handed senior Brett Meidel and the Blue Devils their fourth loss of the season. BHRA travels to Armstrong on Tuesday to face the Trojans in conference play.

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