State Farm Holiday Classic crown champions; U-High and Central Catholic fall short

Posted on December 31, 2015
U-High basketball
U-High lost to Rock Island in the State Farm Holiday Classic Large School Boys Final. (Photo by Karin McCall/You Name It Sports)

By Nick McClintock

BLOOMINGTON- The Central Catholic Saints’ run for a State Farm Holiday Classic Title came to an end at the Shirk Center for the third straight year, as Quincy Notre Dame took down the Saints in the Small School Boys title game, 60-50.

Quincy never trailed in the contest, and led by as much as 18 in the third quarter. Central Catholic would then take the lead down to just five midway through the fourth quarter, however Quincy came back over the final three minutes to take the win.

John Rave led the Saints in scoring with 16 pts. Tanner Stuckman led the Raiders of Quincy Notre Dame with 16 as well..

Rave was also named to the Classic All-Tournament Team for the Small School Boys division.

Large School Boys

UHigh was unable to make it two come from behind victories in a row, as the Pioneers were dispatched by the Rocks of Rock Island in the title game of the Large School Boys division 50-49.

UHigh kept it close throughout the entire game, being tied at the end of the first quarter at 17, and at the end of the third at 41. UHigh would take the lead early in the final quarter, but it was Rock Island with a lay-in with 2.1 seconds left to take home the lead and the championship.

Alex Morris led  the way for the Pioneers, with 15. The Rocks were led by Jason Jones and CJ Neville each with 16.

Keondre Schumacher of UHigh had 12 points in the loss, and landed himself on the Classic All-Tournament Team for the Large School Boys division for his performance.

Other Results

SFHC- Small School Girls

Rockford Lutheran def. Champaign St. Thomas Moore 63-42
SFHC – Large School Girls
Chicago North Lawndale def. Rock Island 42-39

Pontiac Holiday Tournament

Benet Academy def. Bloomington 67-64 for fifth place.
Chicago Curie topped No. 1 seed Peoria Manual 75-56 for the championship.

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