CHT: The area will be well represented in the Final Four at the Centralia Holiday Tournament, with Centralia and Mount Vernon both securing spots in the semifinals today. A 3-point barrage helped Centralia cruise past Champaign Central 69-48. The Orphans hit 7 three’s in the second quarter on their way to a 23-point halftime lead. Cruz Harlan knocked down 4 three’s on the night, and Daryle Jones hit 3 as they led the Orphans with 20 points each. The Orphans will play Evanston, who pulled away from Alton for a 43-31 win. The game will begin at 2pm. Evanston is seeking its 4th straight trip to the CHT title game while the Orphans haven’t been to the title game since 2019.
Mount Vernon came away with a 51-42 win over Carmel Catholic of Mundelein. Freshman Dave Barnes led the Rams with 19 and Navontae Nesbit finished with 18. Mount Vernon will square off against Chicago Marist at 12:30, which outlasted Chatham Glenwood 42-38 in the other quarterfinal.
The tournament’s 3rd place game is at 7:30 tonight and the title game tipping off at 9pm.
In the consolation bracket, Belleville West topped Walter Payton Prep 63-48, Dyett Chicago beat Cahokia 69-54, the Memphis Area Home Education Association upended Miami Ferguson 72-62 and Bogan beat KIPP 45-41.
Photos: Pat Hodges