Three area eighth grade boys basketball teams qualify for state tourney in respective classes

QUINCY — The Quincy Junior High School eighth grade boys basketball team is headed to the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament.

Camp Point Central and Augusta Southeastern are, too.

The three squads won sectional championships in their respective classes Monday night, advancing to the state quarterfinals on Saturday.

Quincy defeated Mt. Zion 32-23 at Taylorville Junior High School in the Class 4A sectional. The Comets (23-1) will face O’Fallon Carriel (24-3) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Taylorville High School. The winner advances to the state semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

In Class 2A, at West Prairie High School in Colchester, Camp Point Central beat West Prairie 37-34 as the Panthers’ Braxton Kestner banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key as time expired. Central (21-3) will face Winchester West Central (20-3) at 10 a.m. Saturday in the state quarterfinals at Kankakee Bishop McNamara. The state semifinal will be at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Augusta Southeastern defeated Griggsville-Perry 43-22 in the Class 1A sectional at Virginia.

The Suns (19-6) advance to face Sigel St. Michael’s (23-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Warrensburg-Latham Middle School. The state semifinal will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.