Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
CHESTER – Althoff and Pinckneyville were the top two teams in multiple final regular season 2A state rankings, meaning it was 1 vs 2 for the Chester Regional championship. The Crusaders took most of the suspense out of this one early, running out to a 20-point halftime lead and cruising to a 74-56 win.
Dierre Hill Jr. and Zach Winkeler combined for 20 first quarter points as the Crusaders raced to a 25-11 lead after one. Althoff extended that lead to 40-20 by halftime.
Pinckneyville scored the first four points of the third quarter, including a steal and dunk from AJ Keith that gave Panther fans thoughts of a dramatic comeback. The Crusaders dashed those thoughts, extending their lead to 54-33 after three then opening the fourth with an 8-0 spurt to push the lead to 29.
Keith scored 15 of his team high 20 points in the fourth as the Panthers clawed back within 16, but that’s as close as it would get.
Althoff improves to 27-5 and advances to the Carterville Sectional to play Vienna Wednesday night at 7:00.
Pinckneyville’s season ends at 28-4.
