Belleville East rolls past cross-town rival Belleville West to sweep the season series
Belleville East finished with its third win of the 2022-23 regular season against city rival Belleville West with a commanding 72-46 Southwestern Conference triumph Tuesday night.
The Lancers improved to 25-5 overall and 7-4 in SWC action. In previous match-ups with the Maroons this season, Belleville East prevailed 66-57 in a league game and 57-52 in the championship of the Chick-fil-A Classic.
“When we share the basketball and multiple guys in double figures ... we’re really tough to defend,” Belleville East coach Jeff Creek said. “This guy (Mason Mosley) started off for us and led the way — that’s what we need to be great.”
The Lancers had three players in double figures including Antwine Wilson (18 points) and Jordan Pickett (15 points).
Guard Mosley, however, conducted the show with his 19 points. Mosley said he feels the upcoming match-up Friday against East St. Louis will be a monumental game for the Lancers as they head into the state playoffs. The Lancers also will be looking for some revenge, as the Flyers posted a 72-71 win in the teams’ showdown Jan. 10.
“Getting ready for regionals, I feel like I have to step up my game and help my teammates facilitate,” Mosley said. “This East Side game is going to prepare us for sure, it’s going to come down to who wants it the most.”
Belleville West, meanwhile, fell to 13-15 overall, 3-8 in league play.
“Offensively and defensively, we couldn’t get anything going,” coach Alex Schobert said. “We’ve got to get back to practicing and getting better one day at a time.”
Myles Liddell was the only Maroon to reach double figures with 10 points.
Belleville East took it straight to the Maroons in the first quarter, racing to a 18-6 bulge led by senior Darien Singleton with two trey balls and senior Pickett with five points.
To begin the second quarter, the Lancers went on a 9-2 run after multiple players scored easy buckets. Belleville West finally got the offense moving a little bit, but Belleville East was too much and extended the lead to 21 points to finish the first half.
Wilson scored 12 of Belleville East’s 21 points in the third quarter to carry the offensive load for the team. Freshman Nicholas Hankins Jr. led the way for the Maroons with seven points in the quarter, which saw the Lancers in front 56-30.
Mosley put on a show in the beginning of the four quarter to ride the Lancers home to a dominant road win.
Look ahead
Both teams conclude regular season action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, as the Lancers host East St. Louis and the Maroons travel to Edwardsville.
