Armstrong, Wells lead seniors at Illini Prairie Conference senior All-Star game
By Fred Kroner
Ella Armstrong was the top scorer on Saturday (March 19) as the Illini Prairie Conference senior all-stars topped their counterparts from the Heart of Illinois Conference, 58-32, at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School.
Armstrong, who drilled back-to-back three-pointers in the final 90 seconds of the first half, totaled a game-high 10 points.
Armstrong was one of four St. Joseph-Ogden seniors selected for the 12-player IPC girls’ honor squad.
Spartan teammate Taylor Wells was the game’s top rebounder. She hauled down seven boards.
The IPC stars – coached by SJ-O’s Drew Arteaga – nailed seven three-point shots. Six were made by SJ-O standouts.
Besides the two treys made by Armstrong, Wells and Ashlyn Lannert also registered a pair of three-pointers.
Lannert scored eight points and Wells finished with six points.
The fourth Spartan participant, Alyssa Hamilton, was scoreless.
Arteaga rotated his 12 available players in and out of the lineup throughout the game before substituting all four of his Spartans in for the final 3 minutes and 49 seconds so they could finish their careers together on the court.
The IPC scored the game’ first 16 points and led, 25-12, at halftime.
Armstrong’s hustle got the IPC on the board in the third quarter. She missed a three-point shot, tracked the rebound down beyond the arc, then drove to the basket and scored, lifting her team into a 27-14 advantage at the 5:52 mark.
Unlike many all-star games, where individual play is the theme, the IPC squad consistently shared the ball. None of the 12 players attempted more than seven shots from the field and all 12 shot the ball at least three times, including free throws.
The game capped the career for all of the seniors.
In other developments, Armstrong and Wells both earned first-team all-conference accolades. Lannert was an honorable mention all-league choice, along with SJ-O teammates, senior Payton Jacob and junior Peyton Jones.
Armstrong was also chosen for the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state third team. Wells earned IBCA all-state special mention recognition.
