Ava Johnson Reaches 1,000 Career Points in Kankakee’s Win

Kankakee junior Ava Johnson achieved a significant milestone by scoring her 1,000th career point during a recent matchup against Rock Island, leading her team to a 50-42 victory. Johnson’s impressive performance included 22 points, contributing to the Kays’ strong season record of 14-1. Kankakee, seeded eighth in the large school bracket, is set to compete against the top seed, Washington, in the second round of the State Farm Holiday Classic.

In another game, Normal University edged out Bishop McNamara with a score of 50-42. The Fightin’ Irish, who hold the 11th seed in their bracket, struggled to maintain momentum despite a 10-point effort from Trinitee Thompson. Their record now stands at 4-7.

The Peotone Holiday Tournament saw Reed-Custer secure a decisive 49-32 win over Beecher. Alyssa Wollenzein led the Comets with an impressive performance of 27 points, six rebounds, and eight steals. Kamryn Wilkey also made a notable contribution with 11 points, three steals, and two rebounds. Beecher’s record now stands at 6-7, but no individual statistics were available for their players.

Richards defeated Peotone 26-15 in a low-scoring affair, with the host Blue Devils trailing closely until the final quarter. No stats were reported for Peotone, who now holds a record of 6-9. Meanwhile, Reavis achieved a 54-45 victory over Bradley-Bourbonnais, though individual stats for the Boilermakers, now at 2-9, have not been disclosed.

In a lopsided game, Joliet Catholic triumphed over Momence with a dominating score of 64-7, leaving Momence with a record of 2-7.

The Chicago Christian Christmas Tournament featured Manteno defeating Chicago Christian 43-34, with Lila Prindeville leading the Panthers with 12 points and three steals. Emily Horath contributed significantly with nine points and eight rebounds, helping Manteno improve their record to 13-1.

On the boys’ side, the State Farm Holiday Classic showcased an exciting finish as Dajuan Brown, a freshman for Bradley-Bourbonnais, secured a thrilling 53-50 victory over Metea Valley. Brown scored 12 points, including a crucial go-ahead basket in the final seconds. Drew Kubal led the team with 14 points, while Kobe Lawrence added 11.

Bishop McNamara’s boys’ team, seeded first in the small school bracket, dominated Olympia with a score of 76-49. The Fightin’ Irish displayed a balanced offensive effort, with Callaghan O’Connor leading the charge with 13 points, followed by Richie Darr with 12, Coen Demack with 11, and Karter Krutsinger contributing 10.

In the Seneca Shipyard Showdown, the Coal City Coalers outperformed Gardner-South Wilmington 40-30, rallying with a 17-3 fourth quarter. Leondre Kemp led G-SW with 16 points, while Coal City improved its record to 5-7.

Reed-Custer’s boys’ team also celebrated a win, overcoming Serena 60-49, setting up a rivalry game against Coal City in the consolation championship. Kaiden Klein led Reed-Custer with 16 points, while Matt Kuban and Chase Isaac both added 13 points.

Wilmington secured a significant 68-59 victory over Dwight, with Ryan Kettman scoring 25 points. Teammates Brysen Meents and Declan Moran both contributed 18 points, helping Wilmington improve to 6-3 as they prepare for a fifth-place game against Woodland.

In the Bismarck-Henning Holiday Tournament, Phalen from Indiana defeated Milford 74-45, with Jack Van Hoveln leading Milford with 22 points, although the team’s record now stands at 2-8.

These results highlight the competitive spirit of local high school basketball, showcasing individual talents and team efforts across various tournaments.