Fans cheer after Korbin Kidd sinks a 3-pointer. [Photo by Itzel Rivas with The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

***This article was written by Jaime Radilla, a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.

For the last home game of the season, the Kewanee Boilermakers went head to head against the leader of the Three Rivers Academic Conference (TRAC), the Mendota Trojans, on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The Boilermakers battled well but unfortunately fell short of the win.

The Boilermakers started the game with an explosive 4-0 run early in the first quarter.

Colson Welgat moves the ball down the court. [Photo by Dillon Price of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

The Trojans immediately responded and went on their own run, taking an 8-point lead to finish out the first quarter.

Starting the second quarter, the Boilers tried to get something going on offense as senior Greyden Lewis took the ball coast to coast for the layup, making the score 15-21.

The Trojans fired back with two consecutive defensive stops to pull away and make the score 28-16 with two minutes left in the half.

Dontaveon Thomas goes up for the tip-off. [Photo by Jaxon Janey with The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

Down but undetermined, senior Brayden Conley scored in the paint off of a pass from Greyden Lewis. Moments later, senior Catrelle Reed found junior Logan Peed for a dump off for the two-point play, bringing the score to 30-20.

Mendota battled through and they ended up leading the half 32-22.

Conley (4) and Ellerbrock (4) led the scoring for the Boilermakers in the first half.

Beginning in the third quarter, Mendota started to pull away as they led the Boilers 42-24 with a little over half of the quarter left.

The Boilers showed some resilience as they went on a run, getting three consecutive defense stops while knocking down some crucial three-pointers to make the score 51-37 at the end of the third quarter.

Catrelle Reed drives to the hoop. [Photo by Itzel Rivas of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

To start off the fourth quarter, the Trojans went on a 7-0 run, making the score 57-39 with just a little over half of a quarter left. Shortly after, the Trojans achieved another 6-0 run to extend their lead by 24 points with just four minutes remaining.

The Boilers cut down the lead with a pair of threes from seniors Jayce Klein and Ryne Sturnevat. Moments later, senior Korbin Kidd completed a 7-0 run himself with a demanding three-pointer and two steals for a layup, bringing the game to a close with a score of 69-56.

The Boilermakers were led by Reed (13), Kidd (7), and Conley (6).

Unfortunately, the Boilers ended the regular season with a loss to the Trojans. This year marks Mendota’s first conference title since 1996.
The Boilers will be back in action on Monday, Feb. 24, at Monmouth-Roseville High School starting at 6:30 p.m. for their first round in the IHSA Regionals.

The Boilermakers were led by Reed (13), Kidd (7), and Conley (6).