Holiday Tournament roundup: Chargers, Mustangs, Hornets reach semis at Beardstown

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — A dynamic defensive effort pushed the Illini West girls basketball team back to the semifinals of the 40th Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic.

The fifth-seeded Chargers held fourth-seeded Lewistown to two points in the second quarter and 10 points overall in the first half Tuesday, winning the quarterfinal matchup 42-26. Illini West (11-4) draws top-seeded Unity in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Rylee Reed and Allison Icenogle scored 10 points apiece for the Chargers.

In the other quarterfinal on that side of the bracket, Unity beat Macomb 43-28. Ashlynn Arnsman led the Mustangs with 14 points, while Kylee Barry added 11. Kylie Robinson, Kaitlyn Robinson and Ainsley Holthaus led the Bombers with eight points apiece.

On the other side of the bracket, third-seeded Brown County punched its way to the semifinals with a 62-32 victory over Illini Bluffs. Katie Flynn led the Hornets with 22 points. Brown County will face second-seeded Havana at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals.

Mustangs earn spot in title game

MENDON, Ill. — The Unity boys basketball team will play for the championship of its own tournament, beating Western 61-36 on the second night of the MVIT. Carter Kasparie led the Mustangs with 12 points, while Nick Maynard added 10. Mason Smith led Western with 22 points.

Unity will play at 8 p.m. Thursday in the championship game.

Pirates fall in tourney opener

ROLLA, Mo. — Warrensburg’s Mason Wyatt hit a jumper with two seconds remaining in regulation to complete a comeback and hand the Hannibal boys basketball team a 39-37 loss in the opening round of the US Bank Holiday Tournament.

The Pirates made just four field goals in the second half. Thomas Janes led Hannibal with 11 points, while Dae’Shon Glasgow added 10.