Results and story courtesy of Kewanee High School Athletics and Coach Matt Clark
Kewanee High vs Mendota High School
Tuesday, February 7
Game Time: 7:00PM
Location: Kewanee High School
Final Score:
Kewanee – 48
Mendota – 35
Boilers dominate second half for TRAC East win
In front of a large Tuesday night crowd inside Brockman Gymnasium, Kewanee High had a night of remembrance for former Boilermaker coach Shaune Lewis who passed away suddenly on July 2, 2020. To honor Coach Lewis each fan was given a commemorative orange towel with the saying, “For the Love of the Game” and a moment of silence was held before tipoff.
The Boilers were looking to build off a 67-30 win Saturday night at Deer Creek-Mackinaw and begin their final four game homestand with a victory against the visiting Mendota Trojans. These two teams squared off back on January 20th with the Boilers coming out on top that night 52-45 in what was a hard fought game by both teams. The first quarter on this night was once again a slow home start for Kewanee as they struggled with the physicality allowed by Mendota that the officiating allowed. Kewanee couldn’t get much going offensively as the Trojans held them to just 6 first quarter points. The Boilers turned the ball over a handful of times in the opening quarter and couldn’t finish around the rim when presented opportunities while missing perimeter jump shots. At the end of the first, Mendota led 12-6.
Quarter two was much of the same early on for the Boilermakers as made shots were difficult to come by and the overall effort on the defensive end was not there at a consistent rate. Brady Clark would help start to get things turned around for the Boilers at about the midway point of the second when he converted an and one to pull the Boilers within three points. Both teams would struggle offensively to end the half, with the Trojans holding a 21-17 lead at the break.
The second half would be the difference in this game as the Boilers would come out of the locker room and change defenses to a man to man that could apply pressure to the guards of Mendota. Kewanee quickly grabbed an early second half lead which caused the Mendota Coach Wasmer to call a quick timeout to stop the Boiler run. Kewanee used much more on the ball pressure to cause Mendota turnovers which helped the Boilermaker offense led by a trio of underclassmen guards, Blaise Lewis, Catrelle Reed and Clark, who would combine for all 14 third quarter Boiler points. Along with the guards, post players Jaiden Little, Will Rumbold, Blake Johnston and Davontae Jordan would make their marks on the game on the defensive end forcing tough shots for Mendota while rebounding the ball so Kewanee could get out in transition. The result of this team basketball helped draw the Boilermakers even at 31 entering the fourth quarter.
Kewanee continued their team defense in the final quarter as they would hold Mendota to just 4 fourth quarter points while mixing between their 1-3-1 zone and man defenses keeping the Trojans off balance. The Boilermakers would dominate the second half, out scoring the Trojans 31-14, to pull away for a 48-35 victory. With the win Kewanee improves to 13-12 overall and 5-6 in TRAC East play. Leading the scoring for Kewanee was juniors Blaise Lewis and Brady Clark with 15 each. Sophomore Catrelle Reed played his best defensive half of basketball this season while scoring 8 points. Senior Jaiden Little and junior Blake Johnston tallied 4 points each, while Davontae Jordan scored 2, which came off of some fancy footwork and a left hand finish.
Kewanee will be back in action Friday night in Brockman Gymnasium as they play host to conference foe Spring Valley Hall. Before the game Friday, Kewanee High School will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the school song in a pre-game ceremony. Game time is set for approximately 7pm.