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Ben Brackney was
named to the all-tournament team for the third time, becoming
the third player to do so.
The others were Centennial's James Kinney
(2006-2008) and Kenny Leverette from O'Fallon (2005-2007). Jordan
Nelson and Centennial's Rayvonte Rice were named to the team for the
second time.
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This is the third consecutive year the tournament champion has
gone undefeated. Centennial repeated this year, following O'Fallon
in 2007.
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A record for most points in a game by one team was set when Althoff smashed Rochester 106-44. That game also provided the
tourney's largest margin ever, 62.
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Belleville Althoff set a record by scoring 393 points over the
five games. The previous mark was held by O'Fallon in 2007.
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On the other side
of the scoreboard, in their inaugural season
Rochester became the first team to allow over 400 in the tournament,
giving up 413 points.
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Earlier I mentioned Rochester's record-setting defeat at the hands
of Althoff. Rochester now has the three worst margins of defeat --
versus Althoff 62, Centennial 49 and Danville 48.
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The tournament finally got a 24-point margin. I know, it's silly,
but you would think through all the tourney games over the past
decade, one game would have ended at that. Thanks to Lincoln for beating
Cahokia 74-50.
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A record was set for most points scored in the tournament. Last
year, the teams amassed 1,926 points. This year's squads eclipsed that
mark by 15 with 1,941.
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Who will be playing for a state championship this year? For the
past three seasons, one team that participated in the tournament has
played for a state championship. From the 2006-2007 season O'Fallon
finished second, as did Peoria Manual in 2A in 2007-2008. Of course,
last season, Champaign Centennial took home the big trophy in
Peoria.
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Finally, in the "only Jeff would notice this" category: In
Saturday morning's contest against Rochester, all the points scored
by the Railers in the fourth quarter were scored by players whose
uniform number ended in "0." Hayden Cosby (20) scored two, Brandon Miller
(30) hit for six, and Steven Green (50) added four. I know, I think
I'm nuts, too, but when you're sitting and jotting these notes while
watching the Bears at the same time, your mind can tend to wander.
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Jordan Nelson and Ben Brackney each hit milestones during the
Centennial game. Nelson connected for career 3-pointer No.
150. The junior is fifth all-time, with John Harmsen next on the list
with 185. Senior Ben Brackney is now in triple digits with 100.
Being at the century mark puts him in a tie at 14th with Brandon
Farmer and Kevin Greathouse. One more from long range for Brackney
will tie his former teammate Louie Schonauer, now playing for
Lincoln College.
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So, now the conference season begins. Make sure you're at Roy S.
Anderson gymnasium Friday night as the Railers take on Jacksonville.
If you can't be there, or even if you want to catch additional
information, you are invited to check in here at Lincoln Daily News
on Saturday morning for the latest.
One more thing. I just wanted to congratulate a group of kids who
have been putting in hard work, practicing before school, after
school and at any other time possible. Their performance on the
basketball court Tuesday night was outstanding. In case you're
wondering, this is not about sports. It is about the elementary band
concert at the junior high.
Both the Cadet Band and Concert Band did a great job, and their
teacher, Miss Kuhlmyer, as well as all the band members should be
commended for the hard work. There are many fans that talk about how
good (I say "great") the pep band is for Railer games. Remember, the
students in these two elementary bands will someday make up part of
that pep band.
Not every student can run out of the curtain into the spotlight
at Roy S. Anderson. However, there are more ways than just
basketball to put one's stamp on the Lincoln Railer basketball
experience.
[Special report by JEFF BENJAMIN]
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