Collinsville, Ill. – The Collinsville Kahoks jumped out to a quick 6-0 Monday night and cruised to a 64-29 victory over Granite City in the Schnucks Holiday Classic.
Image by Roger Starkey
The Warriors (4-6) upset fourth seeded Decatur MacAurthur Saturday but were thoroughly dominated by the Kahoks (5-6) from the opening tip. The game started with Emondre Rickman winning the tip to Bret Langley who passed to Anfirnee Wilkinson for an uncontested layup before the game was five seconds old.
The game got out of control early for the chippy Warriors when DJ Miller was fouled by Collinsville’s Nic Gonet. Miller, like several of his teammates throughout the game, took offense to the aggressive Kahok play. When Miller decided to step over the seated Gonet, shoving his knees into the Kahok, he was awarded a technical foul. Instead of Granite City taking the ball out of bounds, Wilkinson hit one of two technical free throws and Gonet knocked down a 3-pointer to cap a four-point possession and give Collinsville a 16-5 lead late in the first.
The Kahoks used a trapping full-court press, dropping into a half-court press throughout the game that stifled Granite City and forced 16 turnovers on 10 steals. The Warriors version of the full-court trap barely bothered Collinsville, who committed only five turnovers and handed out 15 assists.
Collinsville used its height advantage, hustle and superior positioning to grab 19 offensive rebounds. The Kahoks outrebounded Granite City 36-27 overall.
Rickman’s 11 points and 10 rebounds led a balanced Kahok attack. The big man contributed three assists and swatted two shots.
Wilkinson and Langley each scored nine and a total of 10 Kahoks scored at least two points. Wilkinson handed out five assists to lead the team. Granite City had a total of four assists.
Kenny Berry led Granite City with 10 points. Miller added eight.
Collinsville moves on to play top-seeded Althoff in a tournament semifinal at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fletcher Gym. The Crusaders beat Decatur Eisenhower 87-62 Monday night.
The 2013 Schnucks Holiday Classic Champion Lincoln Railers play third-seeded McCluer North in the other semifinal game, which tips at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The Championship game will be played at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Collinsville scorers: Rickman 11, Wilkinson 9, Langley 9, Davis 7, Gonet 6, Buehne 6, Wethers 5, Madden 5, Flora 4, Lyons 2
