Game 59: Delavan vs. Illini Bluffs (Boy's Basketball)

Game 59
(1/13/10)
Delavan vs. Illini Bluffs (Boy's Basketball)
Inter-County Conference Tournament (@ Cuba)

A short break between games since I had already filled out the scorebook, I chatted briefly with a camera man in attendance. Didn't get the name, but I did see a Peoria TV station vehicle in the parking lot when I arrived at the gym.

Delavan came into this game ranked (#8) in Class 1A and bring a (14-2) record to the contest. Meanwhile, Illini Bluffs has a solid (8-7) record, and pulled off some nice wins early in the season, and also played well in close losses to some tough teams.

I was interested to watch Delavan senior Brady Zimmer, who brings in an average of 30 points/game. That's a pretty amazing stat through 16 games. He did not disappoint on this night, scoring seven points in the opening quarter. Trevor Teal knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the same time frame, boosting the Panthers to an 18-8 first quarter lead.

Delavan was dealt a blow very early in this game, as sophomore post player Kalib Kincaid undercut a very bulky Billy Harris of Illini Bluffs. Harris' weight came down on Kincaid's back, and it looked extremely painful. Kincaid fell to floor writhing in pain, and would be helped off the floor, and did not return to the game.

Zimmer exploded for 15 more points in the second quarter, and had 22 points at the break. He scored 15 of the team's 17 points scored in that eight minutes. Billy Harris and Nick Burton each had six points for the Tigers at the break. Both teams handled the ball well. According to my first half stats, I had the Tigers with six turnovers and the Panthers with only four.

Illini Central assistant coach Lance Giesler walked into the gym at halftime to scout these two teams. Both Illini Bluffs and Delavan are also members of the Tomahawk Conference (with Illini Central). Giesler would only get to scout the second half with his late arrival.

Also at halftime, a Delavan fan came to the broadcast booth wanting to give a shout out to head coach Ryon Kramer, who had to sit at home after receiving two technicals in Monday night's game. One of those technicals was assessed with the illegal uniform calls that have been enforced lately. After giving coach Kramer the shoutout, he popped into the chat room on our broadcast page and said he was listening in.

Illini Bluffs got a couple three-pointers from Blake Rynearson, the Tigers outscored the Panthers 15-9. After missing his first free throw in the third quarter, Brady Zimmer went on to finish the game sinking 13 straight free throws, and went (16-18) from the line in the game.

Delavan would go on to beat Illini Bluffs 64-42. Brady Zimmer lit up the score sheets with 39 points. Kelly Wass scored 14 points, behind four three-pointers. Illini Bluffs was led by Nick Burton's 14 points.

After the game, Lance Giesler came up and said he thought this game had started at 7:00, and not 6:30, hence his arriving at halftime of the game.

The Quest File Notes
Game 59
Date: 1/13/10
Result: Brady Zimmer explodes for 39 points, giving Delavan a 64-42 over Illini Bluffs
Miles: 0