Altamont Survives & Advances To The Semi Finals In The Sesser Holiday Tournament, Win 54-51 Over Johnston City

On day two of the 41st Sesser Holiday Tournament, the Altamont Indians held on to survive and advance to the semi finals with a win over Johnston City 54-51 on Tuesday night.

The game started out well for the Indians of Johnston City,  as they would jump out to the lead behind a couple of threes from AJ Butler and Connor Mowery. Those threes were the difference as Altamont got off to a slow start offensively, as Johnston City had the lead 16-11 after the opening quarter.

Just like on night one, Altamont best quarter was in the second. Now it wasn’t a 31 point second quarter but Altamont did outscore JC 18-8 in the quarter. Mason Robinson would pour in nine points. Wyatt Phillips would tie the game at 16. Then a few possessions later  Altamont would take their first lead of the game on a bucket by Avery Jahraus. Jahraus the beneficiary of nice outlet pass from Robinson. Altamont would take the lead and go into halftime leading 29-24.

Altamont largest lead of the game was only eights points. Then JC went on a 7-0 run to pull the game within one 32-31.  Thanks to a three by Butler  and four free throws from Mowery  JC would pull within two, 41-39 after three.

In a back and fourth final period JC would tie the game but never quite regain the lead that they had lost in the first half. A clutch three from Logan Hunter would tie the game for JC. Wyatt Phillips would answer with a three of his own to retake the lead. Some clutch free throws by Robinson and Dillan Elam down the stretch would push the lead to three for Altamont. With 5.4 seconds left, JC would call a time out and try and draw up a game tying shot. Unfortunately for JC they never got a shot off and Altamont does just enough to win 54-51.

Altamont improves to 8-3 on the season and advances to the semi finals on Wednesday night at 8:00 P.M. to take on the winner of the 3 Seed DuQuoin and 6 Seed New Athens for a spot in Thursday championship

JC falls to 6-5 and into the consolation 5th place bracket take on the loser of that DuQuoin/New Athens game.

——-UPDATE——-

DuQuoin defeated New Athens 68-39.

Altamont Points

Robinson 20, Phillips 9, Elam 6, Jahraus 6, Cornett 4, Eirhart 4, Kollmann 3, Kaidyn Miller 2.

Johnston City Points

Mowery 13, Butler 10, Hoxworth 9, Hunter 9, Fort 8, Watson 2.