Quincy Catholic, Brown County, Griggsville-Perry earn IESA state tournament berths this weekend

Three local eighth-grade boys basketball teams have qualified for the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournaments this weekend in their respective classes.

Quincy Catholic advances to the Class 8-3A state tournament after defeating Williamsville 40-31 on Monday in Williamsville. The Crusaders (17-3) will play at 10 a.m. Saturday at Tolono Unity High School against Downs Tri-Valley (23-3), which defeated Forrest Prairie Central 34-15 in the sectional at Forrest.

Williamsville led 10-4 in the first quarter, but Quincy Catholic rallied to take a 23-20 halftime lead. The lead for the Crusaders grew as big as six points in the third quarter, but two late baskets by the Bullets put them within 29-27 entering the fourth quarter.

The Crusaders forced Williamsville to miss its first five shots of the fourth quarter and turn the ball over twice, and two baskets from T.J. Togarepi fueled a 6-point run to put the visitors ahead 35-27. Williamsville scored just one basket in the first 5½ minutes of the fourth quarter. 

The Crusaders put the game away by making five of eight free throws in the final 42 seconds. Quincy Catholic made 14 of 22 free throws in the game. 

Togarepi had 18 points for Quincy Catholic, which placed third in Class 7-3A last season. Stegeman added 13 points.

Brown County advanced to the Class 8-2A state tournament with a 36-23 victory over previously unbeaten Abingdon-Avon in the sectional at Mount Sterling. The Hornets (26-1) will play at 10 a.m. Saturday against Pawnee (23-3) at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee in the quarterfinals.

The Hornets trailed 7-4 in the first quarter but closed with eight straight points to lead 12-7. Brown County led 22-13 at halftime and 28-20 after three quarters. Abingdon-Avon got within five points in the fourth quarter before the Hornets pulled away.

Bradley Markert led Brown County with 12 points. Henry Ingram scored 10 points, and Beau Little contributed eight. The Hornets reached the Class 7-2A state tournament last season, placing third.

Griggsville-Perry advanced to the Class 8-1A state tournament, defeating Western 33-24 to win the sectional at Virginia. The Eagles (18-10) secured the 35^th state tournament berth in the combined history of the junior high schools in Griggsville, Perry and Griggsville-Perry. They will play at 11:30 a.m. Saturday against Mendota Holy Cross (18-2) in the quarterfinals at Warrensburg-Latham High School.

Quentin Booker led Griggsville-Perry with 19 points, while Kasen Bowen chipped in with nine. Brody Bainter led Western (15-9) with six points.