Ty Pence named to Associated Press Class 2A All-State boys’ basketball first team

By Fred Kroner

Senior Ty Pence – who set the St. Joseph-Ogden record for three-pointers made – hit another trifecta on Wednesday (March 8) without even taking the court.

For the third consecutive year, the 6-foot-6 Pence was named to the five-player Class 2A Associated Press All-State boys’ basketball first team.

Pence led all 2A selections with 120 points, based on voting done by a panel of 30 statewide sportswriters and broadcasters. A player received five points for a first-team vote and three for a second-team vote.

Pence’s point total was the highest of any player who headlined any of the four classes.

The Illinois State University signee was also an AP first-team choice in 2021 and 2022.

As a senior, he averaged 26.6 points per game to go with 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks.

He helped the Spartans to a 27-5 overall record and a No. 6 ranking in the final AP state poll.

Pence is ranked among the top 200 players nationally. He was regarded as the No. 188 recruit by 247Sports.

The AP All-State first team looked like an honor squad of elite players from the Illini Prairie Conference.

Following Pence as the No. 2 vote-getter on the AP team was Bloomington Central Catholic junior Cole Certa, who averaged 28.6 points per game. The fourth pick was Prairie Central senior Dylan Bazzell, who averaged 17.0 points per game.

Pence set season (94) and career (245) records at SJ-O for three-pointers, while establishing the school’s all-time scoring record (2,328 points).

Pence is also a standout in the classroom, carrying a 4.39 grade-point average on a 4.00 scale.

He has the chance to hit another trifecta by the weekend. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association will announce its All-State team on Friday.