LeRoy advances to state title

Posted on March 11, 2016
LeRoy basketball
Nick Perry (inbounding), Teddy Harms (23) and Noah Perry (21) during Friday’s win. (Bryan Bloodworth/WJBC)

By Bryan Bloodworth

PEORIA – All-stater Matt Chastain scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead LeRoy High School to a 48-32 victory over Liberty in the Class 1A state basketball tournament at Carver Arena.

The Panthers, making their first appearance in school history in the state finals, play for the state title Saturday at 2 p.m. with a 27-5 record.

Chastain also blocked six shots and had five steals. He made 7 of 12 shots from the field and 6 of 8 free throws.

Freshman Nick Perry was the only other Panther in double figures with 10. He also had six rebounds along with Teddy Harms.

LeRoy, which owned a 38-25 rebounding advantage, shot 52 percent from the field.

The Panthers limited Liberty to 21 percent shooting. The only negative for LeRoy were 24 turnovers.

Liberty, which has a 29-5 record, was led by Tayton Roe’s 12 points.

LeRoy owned an 11-4 lead after the first quarter and a 22-8 advantage at halftime. Liberty, which never led, cut the deficit to 32-28 after three quarters but could get no closer.

Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected].

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