Junior High Boys Basketball
West Lincoln-Broadwell 7th graders headed to State

 

[February 02, 2024] 

The WLB 7th grade boys basketball team is headed back to State!

The Wolverines defeated Normal Epiphany 47-38 to win the 7th Grade Sectional 5 Championship on Monday night in Hartsburg.

Kruz Froebe started the Wolverines scoring in the first quarter with a layup. After Normal Epiphany took a 4-2 lead, Colby Bowman tied the game 4-4 after an offensive putback. That was all the offense in the first quarter.

Froebe gave WLB the 5-4 advantage early in the second quarter. This was the start of an 11-0 run in the quarter. Froebe would go on to sink a three to double-up the score over Normal Epiphany. After Froebe’s two free throws, WLB was up 10-4. Maddox Whiteman added a three to increase the lead to 13-4. With Bowman adding another basket the Wolverines were enjoying a 15-4 lead. Griffen Cross added a basket before halftime for WLB and as the two teams headed to the locker rooms, the Wolverines were on top 17-9.

Bowman put the Wolverines up by double-digits again to start the third quarter. Normal Epiphany went on their own 6-0 run in a matter of two minutes to close the gap to 19-15. The Wolverines settled down and with Bowman and Grant Hayes each tossing in four points, WLB would maintain a 26-20 lead around the two minute mark. Bowman scored again to make the lead 29-20. With 3.0 seconds left in the quarter, Cross sank a three and this allowed the Wolverines to have a little breathing room, 32-22 the score. Whiteman also contributed to the third quarter scoring by sinking a couple free throws.

WLB continued to play great team basketball in the fourth quarter. First it was Bowman with a bucket on the assist from Hayes. Then Cross found his way to the baseline for two points. Next it was Hayes scoring on the assist from Froebe. Mid-way through the quarter WLB kept pace with a 38-28 lead. After Hayes scored the next four points for WLB, the lead grew to 42-28.

Normal Epiphany refused to give up and in a New York minute the score was 42-34. Normal Epiphany fouled Froebe often in the last minute of the game and the sixth grader came up clutch, sinking 5-for-6 from the free throw line to ensure the Wolverines a trip to the state tournament. Normal Epiphany would sink a three at the buzzer to set the final score at 47-38.

Three Wolverines placed in double-figures: Froebe (13), Bowman (12) and Hayes (10).

Ryder Conrady received the Outstanding Sportsmanship Pin following the game.

WLB will play in the 7th Grade Class 1A State Tournament at East Peoria Central Junior High School on Saturday.

The Wolverines (24-2) will play Royal Prairieview Ogden (16-11) at 10:00 a.m. The winner will play at 5:00 p.m. later that evening versus the winner of the Lexington/Sigel St. Michael's game.

Congratulations, Wolverines and good luck at State!

Scoring

WLB 47

Kruz Froebe 13
Colby Bowman 12
Grant Hayes 10
Griffen Cross 7
Maddox Whiteman 5

Normal Epiphany 38

Koch 13
Simmons 9
Triveno 6
Fallon 6
Hall 4

[Teena Lowery]