Spartans win Toyota of Danville Classic

By Fred Kroner

Senior Ty Pence, the unanimous choice as the Most Valuable Player in the eight-team Toyota of Danville Classic boys’ basketball tournament, fired in a season-high 33 points on Saturday, leading St. Joseph-Ogden past Oakwood, 66-31, in a championship game between two undefeated schools.

Pence drained six three-point shots. As a team, the Spartans nailed 11 three-pointers.

Pence cleared nine rebounds, helping SJ-O to a 36-13 edge on the boards. Logan Smith – who was also chosen to the eight-player all-tournament team – pulled down seven rebounds as did McGwire Atwood.

Pence and Smith each delivered four assists.

Smith scored nine points for SJ-O, which jumped into a 26-10  lead after one period. Tanner Jacob added eight points. Maddux Carter connected on two three-point shots for his six points.

The Spartans reached the finals by dispatching Watseka, 68-28, on Friday (Dec. 28) behind 20-point outings from Pence and Smith.

Pence tossed in a game-high 28 points. Smith had his best output of the season, hitting 20 points. Neither played in the fourth quarter.

SJ-O jumped into a 17-3 lead after one quarter. Pence scored 10 of his points in the opening eight minutes. The Spartans led, 36-11 at halftime. Smith had nine of his points in the second frame.

Brock Trimble and Carter each recorded five points and Logan Lackey chipped in with four points.

Pence (eight) and Coy Taylor (six) were the top SJ-O rebounders. Smith had a team-high four assists.

SJ-O (4-0) returns to action on Tuesday (Dec. 6) at home against Hoopeston Area. In four tourney games, the Spartans’ defense allowed an average of less than 25 points per game while the offense was reeling off an average of 71 points per game. Pence averaged 27 points and 8 rebounds per game in his first four outings as a senior.

Tournament runner-up Oakwood is 8-1.