SJO wins final two games at State Farm Classic
By Fred Kroner
St. Joseph-Ogden’s girls’ basketball team won its final two games in the small-school division of the State Farm Classic at various Bloomington and Normal sites. The Spartans placed 13th.
In its final game, SJ-O recovered from a 17-14 halftime deficit against El Paso/Gridley and posted a 49-29 victory on Wednesday (Dec. 29) at Normal Community High School.
Ella Armstrong led the way with 16 points. Payton Jacob tallied eight points, all during a 22-6 third-quarter runout. Peyton Jones also hit eight points.
On Tuesday (Dec. 28), the Spartans split two games, suffering a 77-58 loss to fifth-seeded Rockford Lutheran at Bloomington High School before overpowering 16th-seeded Port Byron Riverdale, 60-17, at Normal Community.
Against Lutheran, Armstrong collected 15 points. Ashlyn Lannert and Taylor Wells added 12 points apiece. Jacob hit 11 points.
SJ-O led, 17-13, after one quarter, but trailed, 44-39, entering the fourth frame.
Against Riverdale, the Spartans defense permitted just two first-half field goals while building a 36-6 lead at intermission.
Lannert tallied a team-high 18 points. Armstrong netted 11 points. Wells had 10 points and Jacob chipped in with six points.
On Monday (Dec. 27), the 13th-seeded Normal University High girls’ basketball team rallied to upset fourth-seeded St. Joseph-Ogden, 50-40, at Normal Community High School.
SJ-O led, 12-10, after one quarter. The teams were tied, 34-34, heading into the final eight minutes.
Lannert led SJ-O with 11 points. Armstrong added nine points. Jacob and Jones each scored six points.
SJ-O (10-5) returns to action on Thursday (Jan. 6) at Pontiac.
