The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Mike Rodeffer, The Quill
The Illini West boys varsity basketball team started their season by going to the Pittsfield Tournament and facing a scrappy Liberty team.
Illini West led 13-11 after one quarter and 26-22 at half time. IW also led 42-38 after three quarters but a persistent Liberty would not give up.
Liberty took the lead late in the 4th quarter 51-49.
Jackson Porter hit 2 of 2 free throws to break at 51-51 tie. Liberty got a free throw and a bucket to retake the lead at 54-53.
Porter was fouled and sank 2 more free throws for a 55-54 IW lead with 21 seconds left.
Liberty lost the ball and Porter again was fouled and made both free throws for a final 57-54 IW win.
Porter had 20 points on the night, 12 in the 4th quarter, Kennedy Gooding had 18 points. Jacob Dietrich added 8 points, Carter Boyer had 6 points, Brock Richardson and Isaac Schreake had 2 points and Lincoln Gooding had 1 point.