LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
CASEY — The Crestwood Eagle eighth-grade boys basketball team hoisted the IESA regional basketball trophy after defeating the top-seed Dietrich 41-29 on Thursday evening.
The victory means the Eagles will play in Monday’s Class 8-2A sectional at Effingham St. Anthony, facing 24-1 Assumption Central A & M, who defeated St. Anthony by 35-34 on Thursday.
The Eagles, now 24-4 on the season, have their sights set on a sectional title and a trip to the IESA Class 8-2A state finals, scheduled at Kankakee Bishop McNamara on Feb. 10.
One victory on that Saturday will assure Crestwood a trophy and play on finals night Feb. 15.
Crestwood 41, Dietrich 29
The Crestwood Eagles took care of business – and hit their free throws in the fourth quarter – to win the Class 8-2A Casey-Westfield regional Thursday.
The game was tight the entire way as the teams traded baskets. Crestwood led 13-12 at the end of the first quarter. The Eagles held on to that one-point advantage going into halftime, leading 20-19.
Crestwood outscored Dietrich in the third quarter 9-6 to take a four-point advantage heading into the final six minutes of play.
The Eagles made only one basket in the fourth quarter but hit 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Combined with the stingy Crestwood defense in the fourth quarter, holding Dietrich to only four points, the Eagles notched the victory and earned a trip to the sectional championship.
Marcus Hutchings led the scoring for Crestwood with 17 points – including 5 of 6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Hutchings hit 3 treys and 2 baskets.
Drew Kirby also scored in double figures, netting four baskets and 3 of 4 from the line for 11 points.
Carter Breeding hit two baskets and 2 of 2 from the free throw line for six points, while Keegan Jewell added a 3 and a basket for five points. Wyatt Watson rounded out the scoring for Crestwood with two points.
Crestwood 45, Red Hill 36
In the regional semi-finals, the Eagles took down a stubborn Red Hill team 45-36 to advance to the championship game.
Crestwood led 11-7 at the end of the first quarter and 26-23 at halftime Red Hill outscored the Eagles 16-15 in the second quarter.
Crestwood came out firing in the third quarter and opened up a 10-point lead, outscoring Red Hill 10-4 heading into the final quarter of play. In the fourth quarter, Crestwood held off Red Hill and took the win 45-36.
Marcus Hutchings led all scorers with 29 points. Hutchings hit seven baskets, three treys and was perfect from the free-throw line for the night.
Drew Kirby added 11 points, hitting three baskets and a 3. Wyatt Watson and Carter Breeding rounded out the scoring for Crestwood with three and two points, respectively.
Crestwood 44, Hutsonville 15
The Eagles opened their eighth-grade tourney by running away from Hutsonville 44-15 on Wednesday.
Crestwood jumped out to a 16-0 lead and led 24-3 at halftime. They also outscored Hutsonville 20-12 in the second half to take the win.
Marcus Hutchings led the scoring for Crestwood with seven baskets and one 3 for 17 points. Carter Breeding had a big night with 14 points, five baskets, a 3 and one free throw.
Briar Good scored five points while Drew Kirby rounded out the scoring with four points.