Panthers advance to 13-1

Evanston’s offense was consistent, but not nearly productive enough to compete with the Washington boys basketball team Dec. 28.

The Panthers built a 34-point lead by the end of the third quarter as they rolled to a 57-28 victory in the quarterfinals of the Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament.

Alec Peters, of No. 1-seed Washington, made three 3-point baskets to lead all participants with 22 points.

The Wildkits scored seven points in every quarter in Dawson Hawkins Gymnasium.

Peters had plenty of help offensively from his teammates. Mason McCoy recorded nine points, Troy Adams eight and Tucker Harlan and Devon Sentz six apiece.

Cade Jackson distributed six assists.

The rout was on by halftime as the Panthers carried a 36-14 advantage into the locker room.

C.J. Singletary’s five points paced cold-shooting Evanston.

Springfield Lanphier 49, WCHS 47

In game No. 12, the Panthers suffered their first loss.

Unseeded Lanphier relegated Washington to the third-place contest with a victory in the final seconds Dec. 28.

The Lions, a charter member of the tournament along with the Panthers, turned around a 12-point deficit with a 24-10 margin in the fourth quarter.  

Peters had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Adams supplied 10 points and McCoy nine. Peters and McCoy combined to hit 10-of-11 free throws.

Lanphier’s Xavier Bishop shared game scoring honors with Peters with 16 points. Scottie Wallace provided the game-winning field goal.

Washington outscored the Lions 28-17 combined in the first and third quarters.

WCHS 53, Chicago Mt. Carmel 38

The Panthers earned their 21st Pekin trophy Dec. 29.

Washington opened up a 10-point lead after one quarter against the Caravan to take the third-place hardware.

Peters led three double-figures scorers with 21 points. He also grabbed 10 boards.

Harlan added 11 points and Adams 10 for a squad that outscored Mt. Carmel in every quarter.

McCoy had nine points as the Panthers won for the 12th time in 13 games. Jackson chipped in another six assists.

Christian Searles had a dozen points to lead the Caravan.

Washington allowed only 39 points per game over the three days.

Lanphier downed Pekin, 76-60, for the championship.

Peters was on the 11-player all-tournament panel for the second year in a row. McCoy was recognized as the Mr. Hustle honoree.

The four Mid-Illini Conference teams entered went a collective 10-6.

Washington improved its 46-year record at Pekin to 89-68.

WCHS 53, Alton 38

The Panthers put away the Redbirds Saturday at the Effingham St. Anthony Shootout with a 17-8 advantage in the fourth quarter.

Three players were in doubles figures to lift Washington (13-1) past the Class 4A opponent.

Peters posted a game-high 23 points as the Panthers won their second in a row after their 11-game winning streak was snapped.

McCoy had 16 points and Adams 10 as Washington made the most of its southern trip.

Tyrome Parker’s 12 points topped Alton.

League play resumes: The Panthers play their first M-I game in three weeks Friday when they go to Metamora.

The contest is pivotal for Washington, which can increase its lead on the rest of the conference to two games with a victory.