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

 

[February 05, 2024] 

The WLB 7th grade boys basketball team will be playing for a state championship this Thursday night!

The Wolverines defeated Royal Prairieview Ogden 49-14 Saturday morning in the IESA 7th Grade Class 1A State Tournament at East Peoria Central Junior High School.

The Wolverines were quick to earn a 17-7 lead in the first quarter and by halftime they led the game 35-9.

They continued to run past their opponent with a 44-12 lead after the third quarter.

The 49-14 win guaranteed the team would bring home hardware from the tournament.

Kruz Froebe led WLB with 19 points, including four 3s in the game.

Maddox Whiteman had two 3s in the game and scored a total of 10 points.

On Saturday evening the Wolverines defeated Sigel St. Michael’s 43-34 and punched their ticket to the state championship game.

A strong first half by WLB allowed them to lead Sigel St. Michael’s 15-7 after the first quarter and 23-13 at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter the Wolverines were up 32-23.

With Griffen Cross leading the team with 17 points and Kruz Froebe adding 12 points, the Wolverines went on to secure a 43-34 victory.

Commenting about the successful day at the state tournament, WLB coach Curtis Conrady addressed the first game with Royal PrairieView Ogden.

“Our defense starts with Colby Bowman,” said Conrady. “He was under the weather Friday but he caused a lot of havoc on the top of the 1-2-2. Bowman ended the game with multiple deflections and steals.”

In the second game with Sigel St. Michael’s, Conrady offered, “They pressured Kruz (Froebe) and Maddox (Whiteman) with their two best defenders. We ran our offense sets through Griffen (Cross) and he came through in the clutch! Our defense stepped up when we needed it and we got timely rebounds.”

A recipe for success. Way to go, Wolverines!

WLB (26-2) will play Ottawa Marquette (23-2) Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in East Peoria.

Game One

WLB 49

Froebe 19
Whiteman 10
Bowman 6
Cross 5
Hayes 4
Sales 3
Kaesebier 2

Royal Prairieview Odgen 14

Wedig 9
Buhr 5

Game Two

WLB 43

Cross 17
Froebe 12
Whiteman 6
Bowman 6
Hayes 2

Sigel St. Michael’s 34

Dasenbrock 12
Ballinger 10
Altgilbers 5
Walk 3
Platz 2
Whittier 2

[Teena Lowery]