HS girls’ basketball: Carlinville drops second consecutive Holiday Tournament title duel with Calhoun
For the second year in a row, the Carlinville High School girls’ basketball team placed runner-up at its home Holiday Tournament. The Cavaliers, which are 12-3 overall, returned to the championship game with victories over Lincolnwood (49-20) Dec. 26 and Gillespie (46-37) Dec. 27. Calhoun defeated Carlinville, 41-33, for the title. Enquirer~Democrat photo by Jackson Wilson.
By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter
Carlinville’s high school girls’ basketball team couldn’t capitalize on enough opportunities to back a strong defensive effort against Calhoun in the championship of the Carlinville Holiday Tournament Dec. 28.
The Cavaliers were looking to avenge a 2023 title loss against the Warriors, but Calhoun retained its crown with a 41-33 victory.
With the exception of Isabella Tiburzi, who posted 13 points, the Cavaliers were completely locked down. Jordyn Loveless mustered eight points and Hannah Gibson added six tallies but Kaitlyn Reels and Braley Wiser were both held to just one made field goal.
Carlinville also didn’t get any production from its bench, aside from one made free throw by Ruthie Reels.
The Cavaliers only trailed by one point at the half (14-13), but the Warriors took control and put themselves in the driver’s seat with an 18-10 run heading into the fourth.
Carlinville, which defeated Lincolnwood and Gillespie en route to the championship game, is 12-3 overall.
Tiburzi and Wiser represented the Cavaliers on the All-Tournament team.
Carlinville 46, Gillespie 37
In the semifinal, which featured the two remaining undefeated South Central Conference teams, Carlinville defeated Gillespie, 46-37, Dec. 27.
Wiser converted three triples and led a balanced scoring attack with 10 points. Tiburzi and K. Reels added nine points apiece. The Cavaliers also received contributions from Gibson with eight points, R. Reels with six points and Loveless with four points.
The Cavaliers cooled the Miners, who had previously won 11 straight games, with a 28-16 first half run.
Mia Brawner, who sunk a three-point overtime buzzer beater to stun Calhoun, 56-55, in Hardin Dec. 21, had 10 points for Gillespie, which also got eight points from Sadie Sholtis, six points from Delaney Taylor, five points from Sloane Brawner and four points apiece from Maggie Heyen and Amari Vickery.
Carlinville 49, Lincolnwood 20
Carlinville kept Lincolnwood off the scoreboard until the second quarter, then took a 30-5 lead into halftime as the Cavaliers cruised past the Lancers, 49-20, Dec. 26.
Tiburzi dominated with 18 points and Wiser added 11 points for Carlinville, which intiated a running clock leading 44-14 after three.
Gibson added five points. K. Reels, R. Reels and Loveless each scored four points. Taylor Brandenburg also made a three off the bench.
Upcoming games
Carlinville rematches Lincolnwood in Raymond Jan. 6 before traveling to Staunton for a crucial conference meeting Jan. 9.
