Armstrong, Lannert key three-game win streak for SJO girls’ basketball

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team ventured away from its home gymnasium for the first time last week.

And continued to do what they have done almost every time out this season: win.

The Spartans (6-1) carry a three-game win streak into Monday night’s 7:30 p.m. nonconference showdown at undefeated Mahomet-Seymour (7-0).

SJO easily won 65-25 at Oakwood this past Saturday, which was preceded by a 52-41 win at Danville last Thursday night and a 55-42 home win against Tuscola on Nov. 29.

The Spartans wasted little time in putting away Oakwood, jumping out to a 28-6 lead at the end of the first quarter before going into halftime ahead 40-14 and taking a 51-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

Ella Armstrong scored a game-high 13 points to lead SJO against the Comets, with Payton Jacob also hitting double figures with 10 points. Ashlyn Lannert (nine points) and Alyssa Hamilton (eight points) weren’t far behind on a balanced afternoon scoring-wise for SJO.

Addison Frick, Taylor Wells and Peyton Williams each scored six points, while Hallie Harms (four points) and Olivia Baltzell (three points) rounded out the scoring.

SJO kept Danville at bay, bolting out to a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 33-23 advantage at halftime before leading 42-31 to start the fourth quarter.

Lannert dropped in a team-high 17 points on the strength of four three-pointers, while Peyton Jones dropped in 16 points. Armstrong (seven points), Wells (six points), Jacob (four points) and Alison Kearney (two points) rounded out the scoring for the Spartans.

In the win against Tuscola, the game was tied at 13 after the first quarter before SJO went into halftime ahead 31-22. The Spartans extended their lead to 46-30 to start the fourth quarter.

Jones scored a game-high 14 points to pace SJO, with Hamilton joining her in double figures with 11 points. Armstrong and Jacob each finished with seven points, while Lannert (five points), Kearney (four points), Wells (four points) and Frick (three points) also dented the scoring column.

After Monday night’s road game, the Spartans are set to return home to continue nonconference play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when they welcome in Teutopolis.