Boys corral coveted home victory

The East Peoria boys basketball team steamrolled Pekin Feb. 23, 51-33.

The Raiders ensured a winning Mid-Illini Conference record by holding the Dragons to 12 first-half points at Allison Gymnasium.

Alex Cline of East Peoria topped all scorers with 16 points.

Joe Kelch and Dylan Sparkman contributed 10 points apiece as Pekin became the fourth league team swept in 2009-10 by the Raiders.

T.J. Trau also produced six points for East Peoria, which extended its winning streak.

No Dragon reached double figures. Kain Hoeniges’ nine points led the guests.

EP 50, Washington 46
The Raiders knocked off the Panthers Friday, ending a long drought against the league rival.

East Peoria, which wound up 9-5 in the conference, was focused from the beginning to send its five seniors out with a home win.

“I thought the kids played hard and came out with a purpose,” EPCHS head coach Ron Kelch said.

The Raiders finished in third place alone in the league with their most M-I wins in Kelch’s six-year tenure.

The last time East Peoria defeated Washington was Dec. 20, 2002, a 68-57 road victory when Kevin Metzger directed the program.

Joe Kelch’s 12 points, which included a halftime buzzer-beater, led the Raiders.

Sparkman had 11 points and Cline nine at Allison Gymnasium for the winners.

“It feels great to get a win,” Joe Kelch said. “I’m proud to get this win for my dad.”

Washington was the last conference foe a Ron Kelch-coached team had not beaten.

East Peoria, which featured an all-senior starting line-up of Shane Moses, Cole Terry, Cole Nieukirk, Cline and Trau, was 7-of-11 from the floor in the first quarter.

Six different players provided baskets for the Raiders in the opening period to help the hosts attain a 15-13 lead.

Sparkman got open for six points in the second quarter, but the Panthers remained tied at 25 in the waning seconds.

The younger Kelch banked in a shot from just beyond halfcourt as time expired to send East Peoria to the locker room with a three-point edge.

There were four lead changes in the third period, but the Raiders emerged with a 39-37 advantage when Sparkman completed a three-point play with 23.9 seconds left.

There were ties in the fourth quarter at 39, 41 and 43 before Washington split two sets of free throws to take a 45-43 lead with 4:05 to go.

Kelch knotted the contest again at 45 at the 2:30 mark.

A Panther turnover allowed East Peoria to go ahead 47-45 after two Cline foul shots at 1:41.

Joe Kelch said the loose balls the boys came up with late were the key to the victory.

The Raider surplus was 48-45, but Washington had an opportunity to tie with less than a minute remaining.

Trau made a steal to prevent the Panthers from getting off a shot.

“The ball was loose and T.J. went down and got it,” Ron Kelch said of the four-year basketball player.

With a 48-46 difference, Kelch made a couple free throws at :08.3 to make it a two-possession game.

Washington, which played without key guards Ryan Grebner and Robert Izaguirre, was led by Ben Ryan’s 18 points.

East Peoria appears to be peaking at the right time.

“I really feel like we could make a run in the postseason,” said Joe Kelch.

The Raiders were 6-2 this year on their home floor, winning the final five outings.

Honored: Garth Knobeloch, Les Newton and John Dyke were inducted into the EPCHS Booster Club Hall of Fame prior to the tip-off.

Knobeloch has been in charge of the scorebook for football and basketball games for more than 35 years. He was an EPCHS industrial arts teacher for 32 years.

Newton, still an assistant boys track and field coach, has kept the clock at football and basketball games. He taught English and physical education for 33 1/2 years.

Dyke, the “Voice of the Raiders,” is set to retire this spring after 32 years. Among his duties was a six-year stint as varsity baseball coach.

Newton was inducted as an advocate and coach. Knobeloch and Dyke were named as advocates.

EP 47, Metamora 41
Sparkman and Cline led the Raiders offensively Monday in the Class 3A Limestone Regional quarterfinals.

No. 4 seed East Peoria (14-11) limited the fifth-seeded Redbirds to five points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 36-33 deficit after the third.

Sparkman posted 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Cline netted 14 of his 15 in the first half at Vern Woosley Gymnasium.

It was the third Raider win over Metamora this season.

Check back at the Web site for further regional details.

Postseason continues: East Peoria will play for the Limestone Regional title at 7:30 p.m. Friday against either the host Rockets or Morton.

The Limestone Regional champion advances to the Ottawa Sectional for a semifinal contest at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against the Notre Dame Regional winner.