Winnebago junior Chas Cross led the list of local boys basketball players who were named to this year’s Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association All-State Team for classes 1A and 2A.
Cross, a 6-foot-7 center who led Winnebago to a fourth-place finish in the state, was one of 15 players in the state named to the first team. Cross averaged 16.9 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 blocks a game for the Indians (31-2).
Two area players made the fourth team — Eastland senior forward Tyler Zumdahl and Rock Falls sophomore guard Jake Junis.
Polo, 58, Indian Creek 53: Grifin Buck had all the time in the world.
The Polo senior guard spotted up for a wide-open 3-pointer in the corner in the waning seconds of the Polo Regional championship game. Buck took a pass from a slashing Connor Lincoln and took his time before draining an open 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left that gave the Marcos a 56-53 win over Indian Creek Friday.
It was the first regional title for the Marcos (27-3) in 23 years.
Polo 67, Milledgeville 59: Polo trailed 43-37 after the third quarter but then outscored Milledgeville 30-16 in the fourth. Matt Scholl scored 15 of his 18 points in the final quarter, and the Marcos went 13 for 15 at the free-throw line in the fourth. Matt VanOosten and Connor Lincoln scored 21 and 20 points for Polo. Kirk Engelkens’ 21 points was the team-high for the Missiles.
Polo 67, Freeport Aquin 62: Matt Scholl, honored before Friday’s game for reaching the 1,000 point mark earlier this season, showed he could he could effect the game in so many other ways.
Scholl recorded a quadruple double with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists and 10 steals to help Polo edge Freeport Aquin 67-62.
Scholl scored 10 of his 14 points in the first quarter to help the Marcos get out to an 8-2 lead that was cut to one by the end of the quarter. He was dominant around the rim in the quarter, grabbing nine of his 16 rebounds.
SOUTH BELOIT — There’s no doubt anymore. South Beloit is the real deal.
The Sobos remained unbeaten with a convincing 72-52 win against Polo Saturday at South Beloit’s Martin Luther King Tournament.
Polo (13-3) was one of the area’s top preseason picks and reached the finals of the Forreston Holiday Tournament last month. But the Marcos couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced Sobos (16-0), who forced seven turnovers in the deciding third quarter while also hitting 11 3-pointers in the game.
MILLEDGEVILLE — In the battle of two of the top teams in the NUIC East, and one of the area’s best rivalries, Polo and Milledgeville put on another dramatic game, with the Marcos prevailing, 54-50.
“It’s always a hard-fought, clean game when Polo and Milledgeville play,” Polo coach Matt Messer said. “I’m really proud of the way my kids played, and I’m as proud as I can be of the Milledgeville kids.”
The game, and the top players on the floor, lived up to their billing, as Milledgeville led only once, but Polo was never in total control of the game.
FORRESTON - Chas Cross stands out on the court because of his height.
But the 6-foot-7 Winnebago junior is more than just tall.
“He’s tall, and he’s got a seven-foot wingspan, his arms are so long,” Winnebago coach Joe Murphy said. “And he can move on top of it.
“If I was on the other side of the court, I’d be frustrated by him, too.”
Cross was too much for anyone to handle at this week’s 49th Annual Forreston Holiday Tournament. A two-year-starter, Cross led the Indians to their second-straight title with a 62-49 win against Morrison in Friday’s championship.
HEYWORTH — After Heyworth outscored Polo 16-14 in the first quarter, the Marcos shut down Heyworth (8-2) the last three quarters in Class 1A action. Polo won the game 26-16.
Matt Scholl led Polo (7-3) with 135 yards and two touchdowns (6 and 11 yards) on 24 carries.
Drew Cheatham added 79 yards and a 1-yard TD on 18 rushes, and Steve Frano scored the only touchdown of the second half on a 5-yard run in the third quarter.
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GALENA — It wasn’t pretty, but for Galena, it was good enough.
At times Friday night, the Pirates (8-1, 7-1 in the NUIC-Upstate) were their own worst enemy, incurring killer penalties and committing a big turnover in the red zone.
But in the end, Galena was good enough, topping Polo 21-7.
“I thought we shot themselves in the foot a couple times,” Galena coach Ed Freed said. “But Polo’s a good team, and they’re going to do that to teams.”
POLO - Polo (6-2) clinched a playoff spot with a 21-7 win over A-FC. Matt Scholl led the Marcos with 136 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries, while Drew Cheatham and Steve Frano added one TD run apiece.
Polo held A-FC to total 105 yards. Kyle Bridgeman scored A-FC’s lone TD on a 15-yard run.
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POLO — Matt Scholl and Drew Cheatham combined for all five of Polo’s touchdowns.
Scholl had 121 yards and three TD runs of 37, 7 and 42 yards on 10 carries. Cheatham added touchdown runs of 4 and 5 yards.
John Allen led West Carroll rushers with 47 yards on seven carries.
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POLO — Big plays and a stiff first-half defense provided Polo a victory over Durand Friday night.
Led by senior quarterback Matt Scholl, the Marcos jumped to an early lead and used a solid ground game to control the final outcome, 44-12.
