PREPS: South Beloit falls to Eastland in IHSA 1A sectional semifinal

HANOVER, Ill. — The Eastland Cougars out of Lanark, Ill., pride themselves on playing great defense and South Beloit’s SoBos experienced some of it first-hand Tuesday night.

After battling to a 21-21 tie at halftime, the SoBos were held to 14 second-half points as they fell to the Cougars 50-35 in an IHSA 1A River Ridge Sectional semifinal.

Defense dominated from the start as South Beloit led 9-6 after the first quarter. The Cougars (26-9) won the second quarter, 15-12, to earn the tie at the intermission.

Ross Robertson, who led the SoBos with 13 points, had only six in the first half. Coltan Porter led South Beloit with nine on three 3-pointers. He did not score in the second half, however, and Robertson was held to two field goals and 3-of-4 free throws.

The Cougars outscored the SoBos 13-6 in the third quarter to lead 34-27. Eastland won the fourth quarter as well 16-8.

The free-throw line was decisive. The Cougars shot 22 free throws and converted 16 while the SoBos were just 3-of-5. Lanark was led by Adam Awender and Parker Krogman with 16 points apiece. Awender converted 9-of-12 free throws and Krogman was 6-of-8.

The SoBos finish their season with a 25-8 record and their third straight regional championship.

• In another D-4 game, No. 13 Parkview fell to No. 4 Cuba City 76-40. Statistics were not reported on that game.

• In Division 3, No. 10 Clinton put up a battle before losing to No. 7 Columbus in overtime, 65-62 and No. 9 Big Foot fell to No. 8 Lomira 70-36. Again, no stats were reported.

• BOXSCORES:

EASTLAND 50, SOUTH BELOIT 35

Eastland 6 15 13 16 — 50

South Beloit 9 12 6 8 — 35

EASTLAND (fg ft-fta pts) — Janssen 3 0-0 6, Awender 3 9-12 16, Spears 2 1-2 7, Krogman 5 6-8 16, Haverland 1 0-0 2, Anderson 1 0-0 3. Totals: 15 16-22 50.

SOUTH BELOIT (fg ft-fta pts) — Robertson 5 3-4 13, Porter 3 0-0 9, Hampton 2 0-1 4, Payton-Ruff 1 0-0 2, Peterson 2 0-0 5, Carlson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 3-5 35.

3-pt. Goals: E 4 (Spears 2, Awender, Anderson) SB 4 (Porter 3, Peterson). Fouled out: Janssen. Total fouls: L 11, SB 19.