Showdown at BHRA on tap for SJO boys’ basketball

The St. Joseph-Ogden and Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin boys’ basketball teams are familiar with each other. That’s because the two tradition-rich programs typically meet in the regular season and have squared off numerous times before with IHSA postseason hardware on the line.
The stakes aren’t that pressure-packed on Monday night, but when the Spartans (4-1) tip off against the Blue Devils (9-0) at 7:30 p.m. at BHRA’s Wilcox Gymnasium, it’ll mark a good, early-season progress report of where coach Kiel Duval’s Spartans are it in the first month of the season.
Here’s a roundup of what has taken place on the court so far for the Spartans that has seen an impressive nonconference home win and a runner-up finish at SJO’s own Toyota of Danville Classic.

Dec. 10
What happened: SJO 52, Normal West 27
SJO put the clamps down defensively against a Class 4A program, earning a home nonconference win in the process.
The Spartans led the Wildcats 12-6 at the end of the first quarter and took a 29-12 lead into halftime before increasing it to 47-19 to start the fourth quarter.
Tanner Siems and Coy Taylor each finished with a double-double to spark the Spartans. Siems scored 10 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked four shots, while Taylor had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ryker Lockhart scored a team-high 11 points to go along with four assists, while Collin Thomey and Asher Pruemer each finished with six points.
Tim Blackburn-Kelley (four points), Tyler Hess (three points) and Parker Fitch (two points) also chipped in.

Dec. 7
What happened: Kankakee Bishop McNamara 57, SJO 48
The Spartans sustained their first loss of the season in the Toyota of Danville Classic championship game, taking home second place in the eight-team tournament.
SJO trailed 15-10 at the end of the first quarter, 34-24 at halftime and 44-36 to start the fourth quarter.
Ryker Lockhart and Coy Taylor each scored 12 points to pace the Spartans, while Parker Fitch added 11 points, Tanner Siems finished with nine points and Collin Thomey had four points.

Dec. 6
What happened: SJO 54, Charleston 40
The Spartans clinched a spot in the Toyota of Danville Classic championship game with its third straight victory in pool play.
SJO led the Trojans 14-9 at the edify the first quarter and held a 27-23 halftime lead before going up 40-31 to start the fourth quarter.
Tanner Siems dropped in a game-high 14 points for the Spartans, while Parker Fitch and Coy Taylor each delivered 12 points in the win.
Ryker Lockhart (six points), Collin Thomey (five points), Kodey McKinney (three points) and Tim Blackburn-Kelley (two points) also contributed.

Dec. 3
What happened: SJO 60, Watseka 27
SJO once again built a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter en route to a second straight win at the Toyota of Danville Classic.
The Spartans led 22-9 at the end of the first quarter, 37-19 at halftime and 52-24 to start the fourth quarter. SJO clamped down defensively in the second half, limiting Watseka to three field goals.
Balanced scoring paced the SJO offense, with Parker Fitch delivering a game-high 14 points. Tanner Siems joined him in double figures with 10 points, while Collin Thomey contributed nine points and Ryker Lockhart compiled eight points.
Asher Pruemer (five points), Tim Blackburn-Kelley (four points), Tyler Hess (three points), Lane McKinney (three points), Coy Taylor (two points) and Nolan Franzen (two points) rounded out the Spartans’ scoring efforts.

Dec. 2
What happened: SJO 77, ALAH 33
The Spartans opened the season in emphatic fashion, easily defeating Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond in their first game at the Toyota of Danville Classic. SJO led 20-11 at the end of the first quarter, increased its advantage to 39-20 at halftime and went into the fourth quarter ahead 63-25.
Four Spartans finished in double figures, led by a game-high 20 points from Collin Thomey. Tanner Siems finished with 13 points, Lane McKinney added 11 points and Tim Blackburn-Kelley came through with 10 points.
Coy Taylor (seven points), Kodey McKinney (six points), Ryker Lockhart (four points), Parker Fitch (three points), Will Haley (two points) and Nolan Franzen (one point) all dented the scoring column, too.

What’s next
After Monday night’s game at BHRA, the Spartans remain on the road and play at Normal U-High at 7:30 p.m. this Friday. SJO has a quick turnaround after the trip to Normal, hosting Beecher at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday in another nonconference game.

What’s up ahead
The State Farm Holiday Classic bracket is set. The Spartans, who finished second at last year’s 16-team tournament, start the first round at noon on Dec. 26 with a game against Winnebago at Normal West High School.