On a cold night in Beecher City, St. Anthony captured their first National Trail Conference Tournament Championship since the 2016-17 season. Which ironically was victorious over Altamont on that night as well. With the win also snaps the 19 game winning streak of the Altamont Lady Indians that had been going on since November 24th. But all good streaks must come to an end and on this night it was St. Anthony coming away with the win after a roller coaster of a game.
The game started with Altamont getting off to a good start, Claire Boehm knocked down a three pointer and Grace Nelson scored eight to give the Indians the early lead. St. Anthony did grab the lead for the first time late in the quarter leading 12-10. The duo of Stacie Vonderheide who scored eight in the quarter and a Nancy Ruholl put in a three to give the Bulldogs a one point 14-13 lead after one quarter.
Altamont had a tough time getting anything to fall in the second quarter. Nelson poured in 11 but all the other points came at the free throw line. St. Anthony had Ruholl scored eight with her second three pointer. Altamont cut the deficit to just three but Adyson Rios and Addi Nuxoll poured in clutch buckets to stretch the St. Anthony lead to 34-29 at the half.
Altamont would fight back out of the locker with Nelson hitting some tough baskets and knocking down one of her six trifectas in the game. Briana Grunloh would hit a three pointer to give Altamont their first lead since the first quarter at 39-37. Both teams would trade the lead from there. Rios would answer with a three of her own and St. A would eventually build up the lead to a 49-43 after three.
In the fourth quarter, Peyton Osteen would make a couple threes and some missed free throws by St. Anthony kept Altamont hanging around till the bitter end. But ultimately the duo of Ruholl and tournament MVP Vonderheide combined for 14 points in the fourth. Addie Lauritzen scored five big points to finish off the Indians and secure the 69-60 win.
Vonderheide and Ruholl would finish the game both with 26 points. St. Anthony also would finish with 43 rebounds as team in the game. Nelson would the lead the way for the Indians with 32 while Peyton Osteen would finish with 13 points as well.
St. Anthony captures their fourth tournament championship and improves to 18-6 overall on the season and the “Sisterhood” are on their own eight game winning streak.
While the loss is painful but the season is not over for Altamont. As their streak comes to an end and they fall to 21-3 overall. The Indians do still have a shot at closing out with the conference regular season title. Altamont is back in action on Tuesday traveling to Teutopolis.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||
| St. Anthony | 14 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 69 |
| Altamont | 13 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 60 |
St. Anthony Points
Vonderheide 26, Ruholl 26, Adysen Rios 7, Nuxoll 5, Lauritzen 5
Altamont Points
Nelson 32, Peyton Osteen 13, Grunloh 6, Lurkins 4, Boehm 3, Kylie Osteen 2
All Tournament Team
Stacie Vonderheide Tournament MVP St. Anthony
Nancy Ruholl St. Anthony
Grace Nelson Altamont
Peyton Osteen Altamont
Macee Rodman CHBC
Brynn Richards Neoga
Taegan Webster South Central
Miah Ballard North Clay
Ella Kinkelaar W/SS
Dayana Haslett B/SE
Lexi Seabaugh B/SE
Miley Britton Dieterich
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