HS boys’ basketball: Bunker Hill hits game-winning shot in final seconds, beats Carlinville for third place at county tournament
The Bunker Hill boys’ basketball team celebrates after defeating Carlinville, 49-48, in the third place of the Macoupin County Tournament. Photo contributed.
By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter
The Bunker Hill boys’ basketball team exceeded expectations at the Macoupin County Tournament.
The Minutemen were picked to finish fifth but, instead, pulled two upsets and left Carlinville with a third place plaque.
With two seconds remaining in the third place game, Cole Yates nailed a go-ahead jumper from the right block and Bunker Hill stunned Carlinville, 49-48, to secure the hardware Jan. 23.
Yates finished with 14 points against the Cavaliers and Jacob Spencer contributed a game-high 15 tallies for the victorious Minutemen.
Carlinville was led by Tate Duckels with 14 points, Triston Thompson with 13 points and Dominic Alepra with 12 points. Sawyer Smith added nine points, seven rebounds and three assists. Alepra was also named to the All-Tournament team.
Will Manar received All-Tournament team honors for Bunker Hill.
Bunker Hill’s Will Manar dribbles to the basket during the first round of the Macoupin County Tournament against North Mac. Manar and the Minutemen upset the Panthers, 52-44, then defeated Carlinville, 49-48, for third place later in the week. Manar was additionally named to the All-Tournament team. Photo contributed.
The Minutemen are 7-12 overall.
The Cavaliers are 6-11.
Quarterfinals
Bunker Hill closed the quarterfinal on a 23-11 run in the fourth quarter and defeated North Mac, 52-44, Jan. 20. C. Yates led the rally with 13 points for the Minutemen, who took out the Panthers with a balanced scoring attack that additionally included Manar with nine points, Pete Jarden with eight points, Bryce Yates with six points, Spencer with six points, Carte Beck with six points and Dean Throne with four points.
Carlinville rolled to a 74-55 win over Gillespie. Duckels scored a game-high 23 points. Alepra and Smith added 22 tallies apiece. Carlinville jumped out to an early lead at 15-10 and went into halftime up 30-23. The Cavaliers pulled away for good with a 20-3 run in the third quarter. Carlinville led by as many as 25 points. In addition to his scoring, Smith finished with nine boards, six assists, four blocks and two steals while making 11 of 16 field goals. Alepra dished out six assists, along with Thompson. Duckels collected six rebounds, three steals and an assist.
Semifinals
In the semifinals Jan. 22, Bunker Hill lost against top seed and eventual champion Staunton, 51-25 while Carlinville fell to Southwestern, 46-28.
