Game 111
(3/4/10)
Orion vs. Camp Pt. Central (Boy's Basketball)
Class 1A B-PC Sectional Semifinal
I spent two seasons broadcasting basketball games in the Bushnell-Prairie City gym. My first year as the BPCBroadcaster was during the 2003-04 season for 104.7 WLMD. Frank Gayton coached that Spartans squad, and they fell to Lewistown at the Macomb Regional on a last-second layup by Matt Koster. The next season, Tony Davis led the team to a West Prairie Regional championship matchup against Carthage (that featured Skyler McKinley), and held tough against the Blueboys but would fall.
Of all the games I covered for B-PC, two games really stick out. During the 2004-05 season, the Spartans and the North Fulton Wildcats went four overtimes. This was an exciting game that had "hold on to your hats" shots, one after another. My friend, Quincy Bejster, was my color commentator that season, and still has this cassette tape broadcast. I believe he has half of that season still, and with his wedding coming up in June in California, I may just have to bring this up (I am deejaying his wedding)!
Speaking of color commentators in Bushnell, my old friend Dave Stuaan walked by before this broadcast. Dave's son Zach was a 6'5" standout for B-PC during the time I began broadcasting the Spartans. He had helped a previous broadcast crew on occasion, and with my first year as the play-by-play man I hadn't set anything up. We chatted briefly, and said he has kept close by reading my columns in the newspaper and listening to various games during the season.
The Camp Point Central Panthers have a familiar name in the lineup, Zach Reuschel. For Chicago Cubs fans, you may recognize that name, with former big league brothers, Rick and Paul. They are from Camp Point, played college baseball at Western Illinois and both played for the Cubs in the 1970's. Rick had a very long MLB career, spending time in San Francisco and Pittsburgh. He actually had two stints with the Cubs, and a brief layover with the Yankees. Paul spent parts of four seasons in the late 70's in Chicago. Paul Reuschel is still in the area, as his wife is the Superintendent of schools at Macomb. WRMJ play-by-play man Jim Taylor mentioned to me before the game that he is related to former Chicago Cubs Paul Popovich, who spent parts of eight seasons at Wrigley Field.
I mentioned overtimes, with that B-PC/North Fulton quadruple-overtime thriller. DeWainn Hulett from the Tri-State Sports Report stopped by and mentioned something about an eight overtime game. With some quick research, I discovered the North Lawndale/Nazareth Academy game had gone eight overtimes, with only a 59-55 final. In looking at IHSA records, that's not even a record!!! Nine overtimes is the state record, when Dwight beat Reddick (76-72) back in 1964.
Another visit before the game, earned me a job on a Saturday afternoon in April. Kenny VanTine asked me if I would announce the B-PC Promenade they hold before their dance. I guess this gives me an excuse to wear a tie...."look sharp, are sharp", as my high school ag teacher, Gary Taets would say.
Orion and Camp Point Central battled in the first quarter, to a low scoring (8-6) finish after eight minutes. The scoring picked up in the second quarter, with the Chargers getting a pair of buckets from sophomore Trent DeDecker and senior Tyler DeDecker. Orion jumped out on a 9-0 run, taking a 19-10 lead midway through the second period. That was snapped by a Zach Main three-pointer, and followed up by a Brandon Ihrig three, that closed the deficit to three points. At halftime, Orion held on to a 21-16 lead.
Orion held on to that lead throughout the third quarter, despite a feverish rally by Camp Point Central, getting as close as three points at the end of the quarter (32-29). With 4:49 to play in the game, the Panthers made another run at Orion, and an Alex Walter steal was taken in for a layup, giving CPC their first lead, at 41-40.
The Chargers had a huge fourth quarter by Tyler DeDecker, knocking down everything he threw up. DeDecker finished the fourth with 10 points, and scored a game-high 15 points. Trailing 49-46, the Panthers attempted a three-pointer by Spencer Rhea from the left wing that just rimmed out, and was knocked out of bounds by Orion. With 0:07 to play, Camp Pt. Central had another shot. After a few seconds burned off the clock, Patrick Flesner tried about a 24-foot shot from the top of the key, only to bounce off the rim at the buzzer.
Orion would hold on for the 49-46 win, and advance to the Class 1A Sweet 16, and a battle with Lewistown in the Sectional championship game. The Indians knocked Orion out of the postseason a year ago. Besides DeDecker, Orion got double-digits from Trent DeDecker (12). Camp Point Central was paced by Alex Walter with 13 points, and Patrick Flesner with 10 points.
This was just the second sectional appearance by Camp Point Central. The school's only other regional title came in (1995-96). This was also the first winning season for the Panthers program since 2002-03.
The Quest File Notes
Game 111
Date: 3/5/10
Result: A pair of late three-point attempts rim out for Camp Pt. Central, and Orion holds on for 49-46 win.
Miles: 100
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