Ghosts split round of games

With no home games left on the schedule, the Illinois Valley Central Ghosts started the road trip off on the right foot by downing Streator, 53-59, Feb. 2.

The teams played even handed throughout the first quarter, with both sides matching each other shot for shot.

Senior Chris Martin established himself in the low post by backing down defenders to knock in shots, as well as clogging the lane on defense to prevent easy paths to the basket.

The teams were tied at 13 heading into the second quarter.

The Ghost intensity fell short in the second quarter and Streator took advantage.

“We didn’t run our offense and we didn’t match their intensity,” coach Jim Thornton said.

While IVC committed turnovers and missed shots, Streator sank outside shots and grabbed a 27-17 lead at halftime.

The Ghosts raised the intensity in the third quarter and did what they needed to do to close the gap.

“We played a really good second half in both areas,” Thornton said.

Junior Dan Semtner took charge and drove to the hoop and knocked down mid-range shots as well.

“I told the team at halftime that we need to run our offense,” Thornton said. “That was the main thing, to just believe in the system.”

Defensively, the Ghosts disrupted Streator and caused their shooting to go cold.

After closing the gap, IVC did not let up on Streator and kept the intensity up to put enough distance between them to cruise to a victory.

The Ghosts headed to Rock Falls Friday to take on their North Central Illinois Conference foe.

IVC came out ready to play and began to rack up points immediately.

Senior Keegan Horack took advantage of the Rocket perimeter defense and sent home outside shots, while Martin kept the inside defenders on their toes by scoring in the low post.

“We played really well in spurts,” Thornton said.

Junior Brock Adcock used his versatility to keep defenders on their toes when he slashed through the lane to the hoop, as well as knocked down mid-range shots.

IVC, however, was not the only team that put points up, as the Rockets were able to keep the Ghosts from shutting them out.

IVC held a 33-24 lead at the half.

The Ghosts lost their intensity in the third quarter when their offense fell out of rhythm by committing turnovers and rushing bad shots.

The Rockets took advantage of their defensive success and closed the gap to 39-36 heading into the fourth quarter.

IVC began to find its offensive rhythm again in the fourth quarter when junior Trever Black sliced through the Rocket defenders to take the ball to the hoop.

The speed and passing of sophomore Sherrarr Tate helped the Ghosts to ensure that the Rocket pressure would not slow down the offense.

Despite the reenergized Ghost offense, the Rockets still had momentum on their side and were able to continue scoring.

“Our Achilles’ heel all year long has been our free-throw shooting and protecting a lead,” Thornton said. “We were nine for 19 in the second half and overtime.”

The Rockets outscored the Grey Ghosts by four points in the quarter to force overtime.

With the game on the line, the Rocket offense responded to the challenge, while the Ghosts faltered due to missed scoring opportunities and turnovers.

“We’re a Jekyll and Hyde team on the road,” Thornton said. “At times, we look good, and at times, we don’t.”

The Rockets, while not spectacular on offense for the quarter, made enough shots down the stretch to beat IVC, 72-65.

The Ghosts next play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Princeton.

“We have to play a whole game, we can’t just play well in spurts,” Thornton. “Going into Princeton, we just can’t do that.”

Check back on www.chillicothetimesbulletin.com for a preview of Friday night’s game.