Game 46: Brown County vs. Pittsfield (Boy's Basketball)

Game 46
(12/30/09)
Brown County vs. Pittsfield (Boy's Basketball)
Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament

Following the opening game, I had a few minutes to fill out the scorebook for the second game and broadcast between the Pittsfield Saukees and Brown County Hornets. Brown County knocked off number three seed Lewistown the night before on a buzzer-beater in overtime, while the Saukees easily cruised past B-PC/A, at one point leading 42-3.

Pittsfield jumped out to an early lead, but Brown County took a 11-10 lead with 0:40 to play in the first quarter. That would be the only lead the Hornets would hold in this game. Taylor Kattelman hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to boost Pittsfield to a 13-10 lead after one quarter.

It was all Saukees in the second quarter, going on an 11-0 run, before a Nathan Goudschaal free throw broke the scoring string. Pittsfield led at halftime, 25-15. Jacob Wilson scored 9 points in the first half for the Hornets, while the Saukees were led by Dalton Hoover's 8 points.

More of the same in the third quarter, as Pittsfield outscored Brown County 17-10, and led 42-25 heading into the fourth quarter. Matthew Chaney hit a couple three-pointers in the fourth quarter, as the team managed 12 points in the final frame. Pittsfield would beat Brown County 57-37.

Pittsfield had a balanced scoring attack, behind Jordan Cawthon's 13 points, Brad Hamilton with 12 points, and Dalton Hoover with 12 points. The Hornets were paced by Matthew Chaney and Jacob Wilson, each with 9 points.

After the broadcast, I needed a little down time before starting the Wednesday schedule and scoreboard. Talked with McDonough Voice sports writer Mitch Worley and West Prairie Cyclones basketball coach Kellen Fernetti, in town to watch the action. Then I retreated upstairs to the hospitality room, where the man in charge of it, Steve Hensley gave me grief about my Monday night picks, in which I went 0-3 on my picks, and additionally called the entire consolation bracket wrong (I had Pleasant Plains vs. Lewistown for the consolation title).

Went back down to press row to fill out the schedule and scoreboard. The next game on tap at Western Hall was (1:00) for Canton and Metamora. Depending on how the bracket would fall, it appeared that my day of broadcasting was over.

Canton would beat Metamora pretty handily, another surprise. After the game, talked with WMBD cameraman Robert Hahn in the hospitality room. He filmed the Canton/Metamora game and was headed off to the Manual girl's tournament in Peoria. Also spoke with my old buddy Dana Nissen from Macomb, he was helping out man the hospitality room.

Next up was the 2:30 game between Macomb and Illini West. I didn't want to reveal my pick in this game around all of the Bomber fans in the house, since my picks were all wrong, LOL. Sat next to the WCAZ broadcasters, Greg Phelps and Keith Yex. Greg brought his "salmon" colored bag. It looked pink to me. Sorry Greg, had to go there, haha. There was quite a cluster on day three with the radio broadcast crews on press row. WBBA (Pittsfield) and the K100 (Macomb) crew had to switch out throughout the day. Fortunately, my courtside seat was all mine for the entire duration of the tournament, right next to holidaybasketball.com webmaster Chris Smith, and Bill Horrell, who was running the Facebook and Twitter pages for the tournament this year.

Keith Yex was headed to Beardstown later in the night to broadcast the Lady Tiger Classic championship between Illini West and Piasa Southwestern. If Illini West lost, and played in the 3rd place game, it would be delayed, so I would provide that broadcast online live for the tournament.

Macomb would prevail to advance to the tournament championship once again. The Bombers have won the tournament three of the last four seasons. The unseeded Bombers would take on the #1 seed Canton Little Giants.

Another break in session between that game and the title games, which begin at 5:00. The consolation championship pits Barry Western and West Hancock. I returned to the hospitality room and munched on some pizza during the game. I tried to trim the pool of all-tournament selections down. The ballots are due at halftime of the championship. I always wait until the last minute, and pool the first half of the championship with the rest of the tournament.

I jinxed myself on Tuesday night, telling Chris Smith it was going to be easy to find 10 players to place on the team. However, on Wednesday, different players would step it up, and there were just a few solid selections for the team. Sat with Leon Groover and Bob Wagner of WBYS (Canton) as we discussed the potential all-tournament selections.

Went back down to press row to watch Pittsfield and Midwest Central for 5th place. The Saukees would prevail, and I would gather my notes for the next broadcast for third place, the Illini West Chargers and Metamora Redbirds.

The Quest File Notes
Game 46
Date: 12/30/09
Result: Pittsfield cruises past Brown County (57-37)
Miles: 0