There’ll be a new boys’ Class A state champion this year.
Four players scored in double figures to lead Rock Creek Academy past host Borden 67-48 on Friday night in the semifinals of the Class A Sectional. The Lions (16-9) will meet Lanesville, a 63-61 winner over Christian Academy, in the final at 7:30 tonight.
Borden (16-6) won last year’s state title and was the two-time defending sectional champion.
Devin Burt scored 22 points, Will Brown 16, Gedeon Nzombi had 13 points and 16 rebounds, and Ronald Karenzi 11 points for Rock Creek.
Rock Creek was down 8-0 before rallying to take a 24-23 halftime lead and gradually increased the margin in the second half despite going only 14 of 24 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
Class A Semifinal
at Springs Valley
: Cale Hall led all scorers with 26 points and Steven Phillips added 14 in a win for the Bulldogs (16-6) over the Blackhawks (9-13). Blake Robling scored 11 points for host Springs Valley. Orleans advances to the final today against Trinity Lutheran.* Orleans 55, Springs Valley 30
Class 2-A Semifinals
at Paoli
Senior D.J. Coleman led the Generals (20-2) past the Musketeers (5-16) with 20 points. Leading scorer for the Musketeers was Alex Doebler with 17 points. Andrew Jones scored 17 points for Clarksville and teammate Calvin McEwen added 14 points. Clarksville will face Providence for the sectional title at 7:30 tonight.* Clarksville 67, Eastern Pekin 45:
: Senior Nick Hayes scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Pioneers (15-6) past the Hornets (3-18) and into the championship game against Clarksville tonight. Providence won the tournament two years ago. Grant Goad had 15 points and Brock Hayden 12 for Providence. Elijah Weeks and Jacob Janek each scored 10 points for Henryville, which ended the season with an eight-game losing streak.* Providence 58, Henryville 40
At Southwestern
: Chris Mayfield scored 22 points as the Eagles (12-10) defeated the Raiders (10-12) and advanced to the sectional championship against Milan. Markus Fleenor scored 20 points for the Eagles. Trent Moorehead led the Raiders with 28 points. The last time Austin won a sectional title was 10 years ago.* Austin 75, South Ripley 65
“This is why we do what we do throughout the season, to compete in a game like this for a shot at the title,” Austin coach Joe Sibbitt said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way these boys played.”