Boys Basketball 8th Grade Class 1-A State Championship
Peoria Limestone Walters narrowly beats out Hartsburg-Emden 40 – 36

[February 16, 2015]  HARTSBURG-EMDEN - In Boys Basketball 8th Grade Class 1-A play on Saturday, Hartsburg-Emden (11-10) went up against Peoria Limestone Walters (15-7) in first round State Championship play.

The Stags rang up more points over the Rockets in first and third quarters in a game that shifted the lead back and forth, quarter-by-quarter to the buzzer. The Rockets were the last to score with two free throws ending the game 40 - 36.

Summary of game comments by Illinois Elementary School Association:

It was a tale of quarters in the second quarterfinal game of the day as the Rockets of Peoria Limestone Walters pulled off a 40-36 come-from-behind victory over the Stags of Hartsburg-Emden. The win by the Rockets improves their record to 16-7 and they will now face Cissna Park at 5:00 p.m. later today. Hartem out scored Limestone Walters 14-7 in the first and third periods but the Rockets outscored the Stags 15-6 in the second period and 11-2 in the decisive fourth quarter. Hartem took a 34-29 lead into the final quarter but the scrappy play of Limestone Walters caused some key turnovers which led to points for the Rockets. The final three minutes of the game was played at a furious pace. With the Stags leading 36-35 and just 2:00 showing on the clock, Austin Hayes was fouled on an attempted shot. He missed both free throws and LW grabbed the rebound. Drew Stear then nailed a huge 3 point goal from the top of the key with 1:30 left to give the Rockets the lead, 38-36. After a Hartsburg turnover, the Rockets were able to play keep away with the ball until Stear was fouled with just: 31 remaining. He missed the front end of the one and bonus and Hartsburg grabbed the rebound.

However, near mid-court, Limestone Walters stole the ball and the Stags were forced to foul. Alex Rupp went to the line for the one and bonus and calmly sank both free throws to give the Rockets a 40-36 lead which ended up being the final score.

Congratulations to both teams on excellent seasons and a well played game.

See stats from the game at:
http://www.iesa.org/activities/bbk
/scoreboards/contestDetails.asp?StateContestID=19638&StateID=
2433&Year=2015&Class=8-1A&Position=7

[Jan Youngquist]