Belleville’s Champions: A game-by-game retrospective on the Althoff Crusaders’ basketball season

The Althoff Crusaders went 32-2 during the 2015-16 en route to winning the school’s — and the city’s — first-ever state basketball championship. Relive each game of Althoff’s historic season, from their season-opening win against Waterloo all the way to the state finals.

NORM SANDERS: How a basketball family brought home a championship

November 23

Althoff 50, Waterloo 44 (1-0)

The Crusaders played in their first game back since losing in the state championship game with most of their players still on the football field. Junior Dante Ray stepped up to lead the way with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line.

November 24

Highland 66, Althoff 51 (1-1)

With eight players off their 15-man roster preparing for the state championship football game — including four starters — an Althoff varsity-JV mix fell to a very good Highland Bulldogs team. Marvin Bateman and Brendon Gooch led the way with 16 points each and Dante Ray added another 12 in the loss.

November 27

Althoff 81, O’Fallon 67 (2-1)

Still a few players short, Bateman shot 6-of-8 from three point range for a game-high 29 points. Brendon Gooch scored 21 and Ray pitc hed in another 20 in an Althoff defeat of the Panthers.

November 28

Althoff 67, Edwardsville 59 (3-1)

The remainder of the varsity team was back in uniform, less than 24 hours after the Crusaders fell in the state football championship game. The two-sport players returned from DeKalb on a team bus at about 4 p.m., then were on the basketball court for their Waterloo Tip-Off Classic date with Edwardsville later the same day. Jordan Goodwin was 8-of-11 from the field, including a 3-pointer, in Althoff’s victory. Returning starters Tarkus Ferguson and Keenen Young added 10 each, as did Gooch. The Tigers out-shot the Crusaders 57 percent to 45 percent from the field, but the Crusaders pulled down an incredible 51 rebounds during the game, giving themselves 14 more shots than they allowed Edwardsville.

December 4

Althoff 74, Carbondale 58 (4-1)

Ferguson and Goodwin each scored 19 points, Goodwin added 11 rebounds, and Young pitched in another 10 points in the Crusaders’ first South Seven Conference game of the season. Althoff shot 58 percent overall, but was 19-of-24 from inside the arc.

December 5

Althoff 79, Mater Dei 60 (5-1)

Four players reached double figures including Ferguson, who had 18. Young scored 17, Bateman had 16 and Goodwin added 12 to go with a game-high 10 rebounds.

December 11

Althoff 63, Cahokia 51 (6-1)

Gooch led the way with 19 points to go with 10 rebounds, a blocked shot and three assists and Goodwin had 14 points and 12 boards. Ferguson pitched in 13 and Bateman was 2-for-3 from three-point range as the Crusaders clinched another South Seven Conference win.

December 18

Althoff 58, Centralia 50 (7-1)

Any other year, Centralia might have been the team to represent Southern Illinois in Peoria. The Orphans challenged Althoff all night long in this South Seven Conference showdown. The Crusaders clung to a two-point lead at the end of the third quarter, having missed all eight of their attempts from beyond the three-point arc. But with Goodwin banging away inside — Centralia fans verbally banging on him the entire time — Althoff mounted a 12-2 fourth-quarter run that made the difference in the game. It was Centralia’s first loss of the season. Ferguson finished with a game-high 18, Goodwin had 17 and Gooch added 11 points. The win gave coach Greg Leib a good measure of where his team was, and helped the Crusaders prepare for Feb. 12 rematch with Orphans — this time in the Orphans’ gym.

December 28

Althoff 97, Urbana 56 (8-1)

At the Collinsville Holiday Tournament, Goodwin scored 29 points by connecting on 12-of-15 from the field. C.J. Coldon added 18, Ferguson had 16 and Gooch scored 10.

December 29

Althoff 72, Granite City 46 (9-1)

Fifteen players on the Althoff roster saw action in the second day of the Collinsville Holiday Tournament. Goodwin again led the way with 17 with Ferguson added 11 and both Gooch and Young pitching in 10.

December 29

Althoff 75, Quincy 57 (10-1)

Game three of the Collinsville Tournament was a repeat of the first two. Goodwin (20), Bateman (18), Coldon (11), and Gooch (11) led a one-sided route over Quincy High School. The Crusaders were 26-of-50 from the field including 10 three-point baskets.

December 30

Althoff 85, Decatur MacArthur 55 (11-1)

This time five Crusaders reached double digits as Althoff completed the sweep of the Collinsville Holiday Tournament field. Gooch led with 21 points, Bateman had 19 on the strength of five 3-pointers, Goodwin had 18 with eight assists and 14 boards, Coldon scored 13 and Ferguson added 10.

January 8

Althoff 61, Marion 41 (12-1)

The new year dropped the Crusaders momentarily back into conference play. The Crusaders took a fast lead and didn’t look back in a 20-point win over the Wildcats.

January 9

Chaminade 81, Althoff 66 (12-2)

Few regular-season games have been as hyped as this match of Illinois’ and Missouri’s top teams. The game had been sold out for weeks leading up to the Highland Shootout showdown. Chaminade entered with one of the nation’s top college recruits, future Duke Blue Devil Jayson Tatum. Althoff had its wealth of athletic talent with Tatum’s good friend, Goodwin, as its centerpiece. Althoff led at halftime, but Tatum scored 24 of his game-high 32 points in the second half to help Chaminade pull away late before a standing-room-only crowd of 3,100. Althoff got 13 points from Goodwin and 12 each from Young and Bateman. Both teams won state championships and finished the season on the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 list. It was the last time the Crusaders would lose.

January 15

Althoff 88, Mount Vernon 56 (13-2)

Five reached double figures in another South Seven Conference blowout. Bateman sank six 3-pointers to lead the way with 23 points. Ferguson and Goodwin each scored 13, Coldon had 12 and Young added 11.

January 16

Althoff 97, Gibault 66 (14-2)

Five Althoff players reached double figures on a night in which they drained 12 three-point baskets. It was the fifth time during the season the Crusaders topped 80 points and the second time over 90. Jordan Goodwin scored a game-high 24 for Althoff. Ferguson finished with 19, Brendon Gooch had 14, C.J. Coldon and Young each had 13.

January 21

Althoff 93, Columbia 50 (15-2)

The Crusaders went over 90 points again, this time at the Chick-fil-A Classic at Belleville East. Ferguson and Bateman each topped 20 points, with 22 and 21 respectively. Goodwin added 12 and Gooch scored 11.

January 22

Althoff 103, McCluer 75 (16-2)

Back at the Chick-fil-A Classic, the Crusaders poured in 100 points for the first of three times on the season.

January 23

Althoff 76, St. Louis U. High 72 (17-2)

Althoff appeared to be on its way to another easy victory. Instead, the Crusaders were forced to make clutch plays with the game on the line. Goodwin scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Ferguson scored 22 points as the Crusaders, who led by 16 points in the second quarter, survived 76-72. Coldon (17 ) and Young (15) also reached double figures for Althoff.

January 29

Althoff 67, Carbondale 51 (18-2)

On a night where the top-ranked Althoff Crusaders weren’t at their best, it was still more than good enough to subdue the Terriers. Althoff overcame early foul and turnover trouble and shaky free-throw shooting to get the victory. Gooch led with 18 points and Ferguson scored 14. Goodwin and Coldon each added 13.

February 2

Althoff 79, Belleville East 60 (19-2)

It was the intense atmosphere of a city rivalry basketball game for about a quarter and then the Althoff Crusaders simply ran away from the Lancers. Althoff got 20 points from Goodwin and 19 from Ferguson. It didn’t help the Lancers that they had to do without injured Illinois recruit Javon Pickett, the area’s top scorer.

February 5

Althoff 87, Cahokia 66 (20-1)

Coldon erupted for a career-high 22 points and Althoff used a 15-0 run in the second quarter to blow open what had been a close game, cruising to a South Seven Conference victory. Goodwin tossed in 19 points and Gooch added 17 with Bateman mixing in four 3-pointers among his 13 points.

February 6

Althoff 80, Chicago Kenwood 64 (21-2)

Goodwin scored 30 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Crusaders drubbed Kenwood in the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout. Coldon scored 15 points and dished out six assists, while Gooch added 13 points, eight rebounds and three 3-pointers.

February 12

Althoff 55, Centralia 49 (22-2)

Not many road teams emerge victorious from Centralia’s Trout Arena, but the Crusaders managed to do so for the first time since Jan. 13, 2006. “We haven’t won here since the second Bush was in office, so I’m anticipating a phone call probably from President Obama congratulating us on our momentous feat,” Leib said after his team clinched at least a tie for the South Seven Conference title. Gooch had 12 for Althoff while Goodwin had 10. Centralia fell to 21-3 with the loss, but was the only team to hold Althoff’s starters under 60 points.

February 13

Althoff 82, Belleville West 61 (23-2)

The Crusaders clinched the city championship with 13 three-point baskets against the Maroons. Five Althoff players reached double figures led by Coldon’s 20. Gooch added 17 points, Ferguson had 13 points, Goodwin scored 12 and Bateman pitched in 10.

February 19

Althoff 77, Marion 50 (24-2)

Another win over Marion clinched the South Seven Conference championship for the Crusaders, who would wind up perfect in league play.

February 26

Althoff 103, Mount Vernon 69 (25-2)

On Senior Night, Bateman drained seven from 3-point range to score a game-high 21 points and complete the Crusaders’ clean sweep of Southern Seven Conference play and send them into the Class 3A playffs on a high note. Goodwin added 20 points, Gooch had 19, Ferguson had 16 and Coldon scored 12.

March 1 - Triad Regional Semifinal

Althoff 73, Civic Memorial 48 (26-2)

The Crusaders entered the post-season ranked No. 1 in Illinois Class 3A and having just cracked the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings. That made them an even bigger target. Civic Memorial delivered a spirited fight and kept it within 12 toward the end of the third quarter. Althoff rallied ahead behind Goodwin, who led all scorers with 24. Gooch added 19 and Fergson scored 13.

March 4 - Triad Regional Championship

Althoff 81, Highland 56 (27-2)

The Highland Bulldogs came out of the gates full of fight, but that wasn’t enough for them to withstand a 24-4 second-quarter blitz, which helped carry Althoff to the first of four postseason titles. Goodwin led with 24 points, Gooch had 14, Young scored 12, Coldon had 11 and Ferguson scored 10.

March 8 - Highland Sectional Semifinal

Althoff 101, Mount Vernon 63 (28-2)

With a 32-point win early in the year and a 103-69 victory on Feb. 26 over Mount Vernon, the Crusaders never let the Rams believe they had a chance while playing before a large crowd at Highland High School. Bateman finished the night with a team-high 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting from beyond the 3-point line. Goodwin added 20 points, while Gooch added 19 and Ferguson added 18. Coldon added 10 points for Althoff.

March 11 - Highland Sectional Championship

Althoff 67, Centralia 53 (29-2)

Goodwin scored 15 of his game-high 32 points in the third quarter and Althoff held off a late Centralia comeback attempt to beat the Orphans for the third time. Ferguson, Coldon and Bateman all were on the bench in foul trouble when Goodwin put the top-ranked Class 3A team in the state on his shoulders. He scored 15 of the Crusaders’ 19 points in the third quarter and 20 of his 32 points came in the second half as he led Althoff to its second straight Springfield Super-Sectional appearane. “When you have a horse like Jordan, you ride him as long as you can,” Leib said. Young added 16 points for Althoff.

March 15 - Springfield Super-Sectional

Althoff 83, Springfield Southeast 69 (30-2)

Mother Nature only threatened to blow the roof off the Prairie Capital Convention Center, but it was the Crusaders who finished the job. Althoff shot 59.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-17 from 3-point range, to defeat Springfield Southeast and advance to the IHSA State Tournament for the second year in a row. The game may be best remembered, however, by the report of a tornado that touched ground about eight miles west of downtown Springfield and prompted convention center security to evacuate a crowd of 2,798 fans from their seats and to the building’s lower-level corridors. The game resumed after little more than a half-hour with the Crusaders leading the Spartans 63-38 with 47 seconds left in the third quarter. The Titans never made it out of the basement. Goodwin scored a game-high 17 points for Althoff. Gooch pitched in 15 to go along with 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Also in double figures were Young and Coldon with 11 each and Ferguson with 10 to go with six assists.

March 18 - IHSA State Semifinal

Althoff 66, Westchester St. Joseph 62 (31-2)

The Crusaders advanced to the title game at the expense of the same team that upended their championship run last year. Goodwin scored a game-high 25 points against the defending 3A champions. The Crusaders and St. Joseph went into the fourth quarter tied at 45. The game, from that point, became a showdown between a pair of All-State first-team performers. St. Joseph’s Nick Rakocevic, who has entertained college offers from across the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, was held without a field goal on three attempts in the second half. Goodwin, meanwhile, scored nine fourth-quarter points while baiting Rakocevic into four personal fouls. The 6-foot-3 Althoff forward also outrebounded the 6-10 Rakocevic 15-12. It wasn’t just Goodwin alone. Brendon Gooch had his second consecutive double-double of the postseason, putting up 10 points to go with 11 rebounds. And senior guard C.J. Coldon pinned down St. Joseph’s freshman point guard Marquis Walker to just four second-half points. Ferguson added 11 points and Young added 10.

March 19 - IHSA State Championship

Althoff 62, Lincoln-Way West 37 (32-2)

One city, five high schools, more than 7,800 games over 99 seasons, and a handful of near-misses. It’s the Althoff Catholic Crusaders that finally captured the Holy Grail. On the Peoria Civic Center’s Carver Arena court, the Crusaders won the first high school state basketball championship in the city’s history. The victory came as a relief to the team’s seven seniors, especially those five who were also on the losing end of Althoff’s state championship defeat this past football season as well as the 3A basketball runner-up 12 months earlier. Althoff secured its 32nd win in dominating fashion. Lincoln-Way West led 14-10 early in the second quarter, but the Crusaders went on to outscore the Warriors 52-25 the rest of the way. Goodwin was Althoff’s top scorer for the seventh game in a row with 19 points to go with a game-high 10 rebounds. Ferguson scored 11 points with seven rebounds. After the trophy presentation, Althoff students flooded the court to mix with players in celebrating the historic win. The party continued on Sunday with a fire truck parade through the city, followed by a pep rally in the school gym.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Belleville’s Champions: A game-by-game retrospective on the Althoff Crusaders’ basketball season."