Altamont Victorious Over Central A & M 63-40, Grace Nelson Becomes School All Time Leading Scorer

1,000 point scorer, Check. Schools all time leading scorer in girls basketball history, Check.  Schools all time leading scorer overall, Check.  On Saturday at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Grace Nelson has done it. Nelson needed 25 coming into the game to break Ryan Armstrong all time school scouring record. Nelson scored that 25th point with 5 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. Nelson would finish with 33 on the afternoon. But maybe more importantly for her, the Indians picked up the win 63-40 over Central A & M.

Altamont and Nelson started off the game great, as the Indians jumped out to a double digit advantage. Thanks to a Peyton Osteen three and 14 from Nelson. Altamont also capitalized on five Raider turnovers.  Central A & M would finish the quarter strong, cutting the lead to eight, 21-13 after the opening quarter.

A & M couldn’t find the shooting touch in the first half. Jilyan Burgener tried to keep the Raiders in it by pouring in 14 first half points. Unfortunately the Raiders couldn’t get anything going offensively.   Altamont would extend the lead out to 33-20 at the half.

Nelson coming out of halftime having 21 for the game knew she was close to making history. Nelson picked up her 25th point in vintage Nelson fashion. Going coast to coast for the layup out running the defense with just over 5 minutes to go in the third.  Claire Boehm added four in the quarter and a jump shot by Libby Reardon as well to extend the lead 51-30 after three.

Peyton Osteen would climb into double figures scoring five in the final period to send the lead over the 20 point mark. Altamont would go on to win 63-40.

Altamont improves to 8-1 on the season. Up next on Monday in a varsity only NTC contest against North Clay.

Central A & M fall to 6-5 on the season.

Hear from Altamont All Time Leading Scorer Grace Nelson after the game.

Hear from Altamont Head Coach Katie Lurkins on Nelson accomplishment after the game.

Altamont Points

Nelson 33, Peyton Osteen 10, Boehm 8, Miller 4, Reardon 3, Lurkins 2, Osteen 2, Klein 1

Central A & M Points

Burgener 25, Corzine 8, Woods 4, Paradee 3

Photo credit Altamont Community Unit #10 Schools on Facebook