Lantz, Panthers take control early in dispatching Chargers to finish CSE Classic pool play undefeated

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Brilyn Lantz preferred to look at the big picture following the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s 48-38 victory over Illini West.

Sure, she posted team highs of 19 points and five rebounds Thursday night during the final game of pool play in the 31st CSE Classic, but she was most concerned with the overall landscape surrounding the CSE victory.

“I think we were happy with where we were at before we had a few (weather-related) days off, and this game showed we have some work to do to get back to where we need to be,” said Lantz, the only senior starter on a 16-2 CSE team that is ranked No. 8 among the state’s Class 2A programs.

While CSE managed to win its eighth straight game, the Panthers were never able to deliver any sort of knockout punch until the closing minutes. The game was far from a repeat of the Dec. 4 meeting between the two schools in Carthage when CSE rolled to a 46-22 win.

Lantz felt much of her club’s trouble dealt with consistency, especially on defense, which relied largely on a bend-but-don’t break mentality. 

“We struggled,” Lantz said.

CSE coach Matt Long opted to approach his assessment from the bright side.

“I felt we controlled most of the game,” he said. “They got it down to five, but … we responded to their challenges.”

Good point.

Whenever Illini West (13-8) threatened, the Panthers were able to stave off the would-be comebacks.

Illini West’s final charge at Central-Southeastern came when the Chargers pulled within five points twice in the fourth quarter. CSE, however, held Illini West scoreless over the final 5-plus minutes while effectively running time off the clock.

“This was a much better game for us than the first time we played Central,” Illini West coach Grant Surprenant said. “We folded (from Central’s) pressure in that first game. This time, we were able to adapt to a more physical style of play as the game progressed, but we were hurt again by a slow start.”

Illini West was also hindered by an ankle injury to 6-foot junior center Reagan Reed in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Reed, who scored 19 points and secured seven rebounds, was forced from the game twice.

“She rolled her ankle, but injuries are part of the game,” Surprenant said. “I don’t think the injury is as bad as it might have been.”

Lantz provided CSE’s steadiest hand, especially in the first half when she gunned down four 3-point field goals — all in the first quarter — en route to a 14-point showing by intermission.

“She’s our energy, she’s our leader and she came out tonight knocking down those threes,” Long said. “In a big game, she always plays well.”

Lantz was simply relieved to regain her shooting touch, which had been absent of late.

“It was nice to get down a couple tonight and get going,” Lantz said.

Agnes Genenbacher (12) and Karly Peters (9) provided scoring depth for CSE, while Kennedy Gunning (8) seconded Reed in the Illini West scorebook.

Genenbacher, only a sophomore, has emerged as a viable threat since receiving more playing time due to CSE injuries. 

“I’m really happy with the progression of Agnes,” Long said. “She’s always a good rebounder, and I thought she stepped up tonight and gave us a couple of big baskets.”

Tourney update

CSE is 3-0 in the eight-team, two-division event, while Illini West finished pool play with a 2-1 record.

Bad weather has plagued the event, which started Jan. 6. Earlier this week, two full days of games were postponed due to snow/ice and overall wintry conditions, and late Thursday night, tournament officials were concerned more postponements were on the way due to a snowy and frigid forecast.

The semifinals will pit Illini West against Brown County at 6 p.m. Friday and CSE against Lewistown at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The tournament’s eventual title game is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, preceded at 6 p.m. by the third-place game.