Dixon, Sterling girls on to semifinals: Thursday’s Sauk Valley roundup

Girls basketball

KSB Classic

Dixon 64, Rochelle 36: Hallie Williamson (20 points) and Reese Dambman (18) led the scoring charge as the Associated Press Class 3A co-No. 1 Duchesses opened their home tournament with a win.

Dixon 49, Aurora Central Catholic 44: Dixon (14-0) advanced to the semifinals to set up a matchup with Byron (12-0) after winning a tight one over the Chargers (11-2).

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 10

Dixon's Makenzie Toms makes a pass against Aurora Central Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, during the Dixon Girl’s KSB Holiday Basketball Classic. (Alex T. Paschal)

Sterling 62, Eastland 21: Madison Austin’s 23 points led Sterling in the win. Olivia Klinefelter had 17 of Eastland’s points.

Sterling 38, Pecatonica 27: The Golden Warriors (12-1) picked up a win against the eighth-ranked team in the Class 1A rankings as Jossy James (12 points) and Austin (10) led the scoring. Sterling advanced to face 2A No. 3 Stillman Valley (13-0) at 6 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 12

Sterling’s Madison Austin takes a pass against Eastland Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, during the Dixon Girls Holiday Basketball Tournament. (Alex T. Paschal)

Freeport 73, Eastland 59: The Cougars fell to 4-10 as Sienna Peterson led Eastland with 15 points and Klinefelter had 13. Tatum Grim (11 points) also reached double figures for Eastland.

Amboy tournament

Marquette 54, Newman 42: Lucy Oetting (17 points) and Gisselle Martin (15) were the Comets' top scorers in the loss.

Amboy 53, Mendota 34: Jillian Anderson led Amboy with 13 points and Addison Pertell and Bella Yanos each had 10 points in the win.

Boys basketball

Pleasant Plains 61, Dixon 54: At the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic, Darius Harrington led Dixon with 31 points, and Eli Davidson scored 14. The Dukes fell short after being outscored 15-6 in the fourth quarter.

St. Anthony 64, Oregon 38: At Effingham, Kade Girton (16) was the only Hawk to reach double figures in the loss.

Tri-Valley 58, Rock Falls 40: Kuitim Heald had 16 points as the only Rocket in double figures in the loss to open the State Farm Holiday Classic in small-school boys play. Ryken Howard also scored eight points for the Rockets. Rock Falls was outscored 14-2 in the fourth quarter.

El-Paso Gridley 64, Eastland 59: At the State Farm Holiday Classic, Adam Awender had 28 points but Class 1A top-ranked Eastland (7-2) lost its second straight game. Peyton Spears added 17 points for the Cougars with Tanner Stern and Parker Krogman scoring five apiece.

Amboy 59, Leland 55 (OT): The Clippers outscored Leland 8-4 in overtime to secure a comeback win at the LaMoille Holiday Classic after trailing by 10 at halftime. Rylan McNinch led Amboy with 21 points.