The Statesmen of Lincoln Trail came in to The Dungeon looking for their first win in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference on Wednesday night. The Blue Knights had other plans. OCC jumped out to an early lead on the back of Sophomore guard Ryan Daniels, whose 16 first half points (4-4 from three point land). The Statesmen however were not ready to throw in the towel battling back from double figure deficits to only trail 36-34 at the half. The Blue Knights came out in the second half struggling to find what got them the large early lead and had to fight and claw their way down the stretch. Ryan Laswell provided huge minutes off the bench in the second half taking 3 charges and coming up with a crucial jump ball that was in favor of the Knights. Vern Watkins and Joe Wright battled on the blocks all night providing the Knights with the inside presence that was needed. OCC scored 16 of their last 18 points from the line (25-32 for the night) to sneak out with a 85-77 lead. The Knights were led by Ryan Daniels who netted 35 points and handed out 6 assists. Jared Rehmel scored 14 and Vern Watkins pitched in 11. The win puts the Knights at 13-6 on the season and 3-2 in the GRAC.
Other GRAC Action Wednesday night saw Southwestern knock down John A Logan 82-76, Kaskaskia steal a game at Rend Lake 87-83, and Southeastern held off Wabash Valley 84-72.
The Blue Knights will be in action again Saturday at Lake Land. Game time is 7:30. Come out and support the Knights as they try to move into a tie for 3rd place. Elsewhere in the GRAC this weekend; Southeastern Illinois travels to Lincoln Trail, Wabash Valley visits Kaskaskia, and on Sunday Rend Lake entertains Southwestern Illinois.
1.21.2009
Wednesday, January 21 Preview/ Updates
Sorry I have been a little behind on updating the site.. Hopefully you have checked out http://www.thegrac.blogspot.com/ to get your score updates throughout the league. It has been a wild 2 nights of GRAC basketball going back to Saturday and a rare Monday night in the league. The standings have been like a duck on water, very calm on top, but restless underneathe that.. Southeastern Illinois still unbeaten sets atop and looks down at Southwestern and John A Logan sitting tied for second at 4-1. However these two battle tonight in Belleville to break open the tie. Sittin in fourth are the Blue Knight of Olney Central who are half a game ahead of a 2-way tie for fifth between the lake schools, Lakeland sits with a 12-6 overall record compared to Rend Lakes 12-7. Also locked in a 2-way tie are Wabash Valley and Kaskaskia. Lincoln Trail remains looking up, but have their harnesses locked and are ready to start creeping at anytime.
Back to the Knights. The States men of Lincoln Trail march into the Dungeon tonight. The second game of back-to-back IECC matchups looks to be a good one. Lincoln trail and Junsie Cotten have plagued the Knights and Coach Mike Burris in his 3 years at the helm. Burris has never topped Cotten but only one game has been decided by more than 5 points. These two teams matchup very well as they provide tons of excitement in the backcourt. Both teams are small, quick and like to push the ball.. All leading to an exciting night of hoops in the Dungeon tonight.
Looking back to Monday night the Blue Knights saw IECC rival Wabash Valley Warriors coming in looking for a battle. And a battle they got. The Knights jumped on the Warriors early in the with multiple first half leads of over 20. But as expected the Warriors responded in the second half.. Putting together fine runs and scoring 27 points in the final 6 minutes. The Blue Knights scratched and clawed to maintain the lead, leading from the tip. For a final score of 77-71. The Knights were led by Ahmad Grant who netted 27 points and Jared Rehmel, who despite an off shooting night, threw in 17. Vern Watkins was named Freedom 92.9 Player of the Game and received a free meal from Hoveys Diner.
Saturday night was a game that Coach Burris and the Knights would like to have back. Traveling to Carterville to face the Volunteers of John A Logan did not fare to well for the Blue Knights. Logan was definitely not "volunteering" any mercy or sympathy for the Knights as they pounced on them early, often and never let down. Trailing by 27 at the half the Blue Knights fought but could not cut it down in the second half, but however limiting the damage for a final score of 87-56.
Come out and support the Blue Knights tonight as they Host the Statesment. Womens tip 5:30 and mens game at 7:30.
Back to the Knights. The States men of Lincoln Trail march into the Dungeon tonight. The second game of back-to-back IECC matchups looks to be a good one. Lincoln trail and Junsie Cotten have plagued the Knights and Coach Mike Burris in his 3 years at the helm. Burris has never topped Cotten but only one game has been decided by more than 5 points. These two teams matchup very well as they provide tons of excitement in the backcourt. Both teams are small, quick and like to push the ball.. All leading to an exciting night of hoops in the Dungeon tonight.
Looking back to Monday night the Blue Knights saw IECC rival Wabash Valley Warriors coming in looking for a battle. And a battle they got. The Knights jumped on the Warriors early in the with multiple first half leads of over 20. But as expected the Warriors responded in the second half.. Putting together fine runs and scoring 27 points in the final 6 minutes. The Blue Knights scratched and clawed to maintain the lead, leading from the tip. For a final score of 77-71. The Knights were led by Ahmad Grant who netted 27 points and Jared Rehmel, who despite an off shooting night, threw in 17. Vern Watkins was named Freedom 92.9 Player of the Game and received a free meal from Hoveys Diner.
Saturday night was a game that Coach Burris and the Knights would like to have back. Traveling to Carterville to face the Volunteers of John A Logan did not fare to well for the Blue Knights. Logan was definitely not "volunteering" any mercy or sympathy for the Knights as they pounced on them early, often and never let down. Trailing by 27 at the half the Blue Knights fought but could not cut it down in the second half, but however limiting the damage for a final score of 87-56.
Come out and support the Blue Knights tonight as they Host the Statesment. Womens tip 5:30 and mens game at 7:30.
1.16.2009
Saturday, January 17 Preview
The Blue Knights coming off a bye week following a tough road loss in Belleville last Saturday look to rebound agains the Volunteers of John A Logan. Logan curently in sole possession of 3rd place in the league with a record of 2-1 are also coming off a tough 2 point road loss at Rend Lake on Wednesday. The Volunteers are 10-5 on the season and and Carterville is always a tough place to play. With the week off the Knights hope to be recharged and hungry to try to steal one on the road to start a span that include 4 games in 7 days including two home games against in district rivals Wabash Valley (Monday January 19) and Lincoln Trail (Wednesday January 21) capped off by a trip to Mattoon to play the Lake Land Lakers Saturday the 24th. Come out and support the Knights as they try to sneak up the GRAC standings.
Other Great Rivers action Saturday night include:
Kaskaskia @ John A Logan
Rend Lake @ Wabash Valley
Southwestern Illinois @ Southeastern Illinois
Lincoln Trail @ Vincennes University
Other Great Rivers action Saturday night include:
Kaskaskia @ John A Logan
Rend Lake @ Wabash Valley
Southwestern Illinois @ Southeastern Illinois
Lincoln Trail @ Vincennes University
1.15.2009
Wednesday, January 14 Scores from around the GRAC
Southeastern IL 78 @ Kaskaskia College 66
Lincoln Trail 56 @ Southwestern IL 95
John A. Logan 54 @ Rend Lake 56
Wabash Valley 83 @ Lake Land 92
*Visit http://www.thegrac.blogspot.com/ for links to articles from these games.
Lincoln Trail 56 @ Southwestern IL 95
John A. Logan 54 @ Rend Lake 56
Wabash Valley 83 @ Lake Land 92
*Visit http://www.thegrac.blogspot.com/ for links to articles from these games.
1.14.2009
Wednesday, January 14 Preview
Tonight features many early matchups that could potentially play big roles in the outcome of the GRAC. The Blue Knights are off tonight and will be preparing for their game Saturday at John A. Logan. For information regarding the scores from tonight, go to: www.thegrac.blogspot.com for tonights matchups and results.
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Welcome Blue Knight Nation to the Olney Central Blue Knight Basketball Blog. This is intended to keep "Blue Nation" informed of news thoughout Blue Knight Basketball. Feel free to leave comments or email comments to grac_basketball@inbox.com. This site is for entertainment purposes only and not to be abused. Thank you and feel free to contact us with news or comments regarding the Blue Knights
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