Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
CARTERVILLE — The Vienna Eagles put up quite a fight but wound up falling to the state’s top-ranked team, Althoff, 69-52 in the semifinals of the Carterville 2A Sectional.
As a fifth seed, the Eagles entered the sectional round one of the highest numbered seeds left in any class, but Burlin Brower’s club was in position to shock the world (at least the state) trailing 45-38 heading to the fourth quarter. The Crusaders opened the fourth with a 7-0 run to push the lead to 14 and kept the Eagles at bay the rest of the way.
Bryden Gryzmala saw to that. The Crusaders’ senior point guard scored 11 of his game high 21 points in the fourth quarter. Oregon football signee Dierre Hill Jr. also reached double figures for Althoff with 15.
Hunter Webb led Vienna with 18 points with Silas Kreuter adding ten.
The Crusaders advance to Friday’s sectional title game against Breese Central. The Eagles finish the season 23-12.
