Collinsville’s Taylor secures scoring record in victory against West, Mater Dei wins
Here is a recap of the metro-east basketball action from Friday, Feb. 21. Records listed are as of completion of play Friday.
Collinsville slips past Belleville West
The Kahoks earned a hard-fought 49-43 Southwestern Conference win against the host Maroons.
Collinsville improved to 26-3 overall and 8-2 in the SWC, while moving ahead O’Fallon (7-2) in the league standings. Belleville West dropped to 14-11, 5-6.
Of note, Kahoks senior guard Ray’Sean Taylor posted a game-high 18 points and, in the process, became the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Taylor now has 2,055 career points, surpassing previous school record-holder Tom Parker, who posted 2,041 in three seasons at Collinsville before continuing his career at the University of Kentucky for legendary coach Adolph Rupp.
Keydrian Jones added 12 points for the Kahoks, while Cawhan Smith posted 10 points. Ty Lampley led West with 13 points.
Next up: Belleville West visits Chaminade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, while Collinsville hosts Belleville East at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Alton takes down Edwardsville
The Redbirds snapped the Tigers’ 11-game winning streak, posting a 43-40 home triumph.
Alton improved to 12-15 overall, 2-8 in the SWC. Edwardsville dropped to 21-8 overall and 5-5 in league play.
Next up: Alton hosts Taylorville at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, while Edwardsville visits O’Fallon at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Belleville East edges Normal Community
The Lancers improved to 17-11 with a 58-54 win at Normal Community.
Next up: Belleville East visits Collinsville at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Freeburg rolls past Columbia
The host Midgets improved to 23-8 overall and 7-3 in the Mississippi Division of the Cahokia Conference with a decisive 47-29 win against the Eagles (17-13, 5-5). In the process, Freeburg wrapped up the league title.
Colin Brueggemann and Luke Ervie led Freeburg — which led 25-9 at halftime — with 13 points apiece. Jackson Holmes and Sam Horner each scored 10 points for Columbia.
Next up: Columbia opens regional competition at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, against Wesclin at Red Bud. Freeburg kicks off regional play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Red Bud. The Midgets opponent is TBD.
Althoff loses to Carbondale
The Crusaders dropped to 8-18 overall and finished 3-5 in the South Seven Conference following a 76-45 road loss to the Terriers.
Next up: Althoff opens regional action at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Red Bud against the host Musketeers.
Mater Dei eases past Granite City
The Knights finished regular season action with a 55-45 verdict against the visiting Warriors.
Mater Dei improved to 25-5, while Granite City fell to 12-15. Caleb Zurliene paced the Knights with 16 points, while Jacob Schadegg posted 15 points. Christian Jones scored 15 points for the Warriors.
Next up: Mater Dei opens regional play at Gillespie at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. The Knights opponent is TBD. Granite City hosts Belleville West at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28.
Okawville downs Breese Central
The Rockets used a stout defensive effort to defeat the host Cougars 39-24.
Okawville improved to 19-8, while Breese Central fell to 13-17.
Next up: Okawville faces Zeigler-Royalton at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Steeleville in its postseason opener. Breese Central kicks off the postseason at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, against Litchfield at Gillespie.
Triad handles Civic Memorial
The Knights outscored the Eagles 39-22 in the second half en route to a 61-39 road win in Mississippi Valley Conference action.
Triad improved to 21-8 overall and 7-1 in the MVC, while Civic Memorial fell to 9-20, 0-8. Luke Cox and Michael Tentis paced the Knights with 21 points apiece, while Nate Winslow scored 10 points. Alex Reams scored 11 points for the Eagles.
Next up: Both teams are back in action at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, as Triad hosts Mascoutah — which also is 7-1 in MVC play — and Civic Memorial visits Highland.
This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 1:45 AM.