Boys basketball recap: Belleville East, Collinsville, Mater Dei, Freeburg post wins

Here is a recap of boys basketball action from Friday, Jan. 3.

Belleville East registers win against Alton

The Lancers posted a solid 70-61 road Southwestern Conference win against Alton.

Belleville East improved to 9-5 overall, 2-3 in league play. The Redbirds dropped to 8-6 overall, 1-3 in the SWC.

Next up: Both teams resume action at home Monday, Jan. 6, as East plays Madison at 6 p.m. and Alton takes on Confluence at 7:30 p.m.

Collinsville takes care of Althoff

The Kahoks led 23-7 after a quarter and 39-13 at halftime en route to a 61-27 home non-conference win against Althoff.

The Kahoks, who won the recent Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament, improved to 14-0. Althoff dropped to 4-9.

Ray’Sean Tayler paced Collinsville with 17 points, while Keydrian Jones added 14 points.

Next up: Both teams have home games Tuesday, Jan. 7, as Collinsville plays Cahokia at 7:30 p.m. and Althoff faces St. Mary’s at 7 p.m.

Columbia notches big win against Salem

The Eagles remained hot, rallying for a 49-45 road Cahokia Conference victory against Salem.

The Eagles, fresh off winning the Columbia-Freeburg Holiday Tournament, posted their fifth-straight victory to improve to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the Mississippi Division of the Cahokia Conference.

Columbia trailed 17-10 after a quarter and then 39-36 heading into the final eight minutes before outscoring Salem 13-6 in the fourth period. Jackson Holmes paced the Eagles with a game-high 20 points, while Jacob O’Connor added 10 points.

Next up: Columbia visits Carlyle at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Freeburg eases past Red Bud

The Midgets outscored the visiting Musketeers 14-4 in the second quarter en route to a 45-32 triumph.

Freeburg improved to 11-2 overall, while Red Bud fell to 5-7. Collin Brueggeman led the Midgets with 15 points, while Luke Ervie posted 13 points. Carter Wiegard paced the Musketeers with 14 points.

Next up: Both squads resume action Saturday, Jan. 4, as Red Bud faces Norris City at 2:30 p.m. at Elverado, and Freeburg hosts Breese Central at 7:30 p.m.

Wesclin posts win against Breese Central

In a battle of Mississippi Division teams in the Cahokia Conference, the Warriors led 10-4 after a quarter and 24-16 at halftime before ultimately posting a 42-32 victory against the Cougars.

Wesclin improved to 7-7 overall, 2-1 in league play. Breese Central dropped to 5-9, 1-2. Grant Fridley led the Warriors with 13 points, while Bradon Thomas led the Cougars with 10 points.

Next up: Breese Central visits Freeburg on Saturday, Jan. 4, while Wesclin travels to Red Bud at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Mater Dei rallies past Alton Marquette

The Knights overcame a 16-6 first quarter deficit to rally past the visiting Explorers 45-42.

Mater Dei, winners of its own Christmas holiday tournament, won for the seventh-straight time while improving to 13-3. The Explorers dropped to 10-5. Owen Williams led Alton Marquette with 14 points, while Brett Terry added 12 points.

Next up: Mater Dei visits Olney Richland County at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, while the Explorers to Mount Olive for a 6 p.m. game Tuesday, Jan. 7.

This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 12:43 AM.