Pence reaches 2,000 career points as SJO boys’ basketball wins twice in two days

Ty Pence can add another accomplishment next to his name during his decorated career with the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team.

The senior guard eclipsed 2,000 career points this past weekend, becoming only the second-ever SJO boys’ basketball player to hit that mark.

And Brandon Trimble’s all-time scoring record of 2,115 career points is well within reach for Pence with nine regular-season games still left on the schedule.

And Pence’s milestone happened during a 70-46 win at Chillicothe IVC this past Friday night, part of a successful weekend for the Spartans. SJO also defeated Effingham St. Anthony 61-38 at home on Saturday night for a nonconference triumph.

The two wins this past weekend helped take some of the sting off a 57-44 home loss last Thursday night to Prairie Central in a matchup of two Class 2A state-ranked teams in St. Joseph.

SJO (16-4, 1-2 Illini Prairie) will try to extend its win streak to three when it makes the short trip to Champaign to play at St. Thomas More on Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. tip in Illini Prairie action. Here’s how the Spartans fared on the court last week and what else is in store this week:

Spartans cruise by St. Anthony
Pence’s shot was falling at a high rate on Saturday night, lifting SJO to a 23-point home win against St. Anthony.

Pence supplied more than half of SJO’s offense with 31 points, making 12 of 21 from the field, including 4 of 9 from three point range, to go with six rebounds and four steals.

Junior guard Logan Smith added 12 points and six rebounds, while junior guard Tanner Jacob and sophomore guard Coy Taylor each came through with six points.

Sophomore guard Tanner Siems (four points, eight rebounds) and sophomore forward Kendrick Johnson (two points) also chipped in.

SJO gets it done against Grey Ghosts
The Spartans steadily pulled away from Chillicothe IVC for a 24-point road win and their first Illini Prairie victory of the season.

Pence scored 27 points, grabbed five rebounds and made four steals to lead SJO.
Jacob was an efficient 4 of 5 from three-point range, a strong part of the 16 points he produced to go along with four steals and three steals.

Taylor chipped in with with eight points, six rebounds and three steals, while Smith stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

Senior guard McGwire Atwood also contributed seven points and five rebounds, while senior guard Maddux Carter (three points) and sophomore forward Logan Lackey (two points) also got in on the scoring fun.

Prairie Central too tough for Spartans
Pence scored 21 points to pace SJO but only shot 7 of 22 from the field, including 1 of 10 from three-point range, in the 13-point home loss to Prairie Central.
Jacob joined Pence in double figures with 10 points, while Smith finished with seven points and seven rebounds, but Smith struggled from the field, too, going 2 of 15.

Atwood (four points) and Siems (two points) rounded out the scoring.

What’s next
After Tuesday night’s game at St. Thomas More, the Spartans return to Illini Prairie play with a 7 p.m. home tip against Monticello this Friday night. SJO will then stay home and host Charleston at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday in a nonconference game.