Steeleville Elementary sweeps CGS boys
<span>STEELEVILLE -- A quick start led to a solid finish for Steeleville Elementary on Tuesday.</span>
<span>The Braves scored the first nine points of the contest and held a commanding 36-11 lead at halftime, helping give the Steeleville Elementary 8th grade boys basketball team a 42-31 win over the Jr. Jackets.</span>
<span>"We like to get the ball up the floor," said Steeleville coach Dan Harriss, a reigning Illinois Basketball Coaches Association junior high boys Coach of the Year. "And play straight-up defense and let our defense control our offense.</span>
<span>"As long as they're out there hustling and playing with intensity, that's all I ask them to do."</span>
<span>Steeleville improved to 6-4 with the victory. Austin Hagel finished with 15 points for the Braves, while Jordan Wilson added 13 and Dylan Hill contributed seven.</span>
<span>"We jumped out to a quick lead and good and bad when they start playing on their heels," Harriss said. "Overall, very happy with them (Tuesday)."</span>
<span>When asked what he likes about his team this year, Harriss pointed to the Braves' inside game.</span>
<span>"Jordan (Wilson) does a nice job inside," he said. "Our outside shooting has to get a little bit better, but we can always improve in everything.</span>
<span>"We've played 10 games and I bet you we've only had six practices. We need to get in the gym and do some practicing."</span>
<span>Steeleville has a busy week next week, with games on Monday (Prairie du Rocher), Tuesday (Pinckneyville No. 50) and Thursday (Trinity Lutheran).</span>
<span>"A lot of games at the beginning of the year is good, but it makes it tough for the long run," Harriss said.</span>
<span>For Chester, Ethan Rayburn led the way for the Jr. Jackets with 11 points, while Caleb Nolen contributed eight. Chester rallied a bit in the second half, outscoring the Braves 20-6 over the final two quarters.</span>
<span>"Controlling No. 11 (Rayburn) for dribble penetration and then just making sure we had a hand up in the big guy's (Caleb Nolen) face inside," Harriss said on his pregame message to the team. "He can be a beast inside for Chester, so we controlled him and gave Jordan an opportunity when (Nolan) wasn't on the court to take it to the hole and score at will."</span>
<span>Steeleville also took the 7th grade contest with a score of 41-16. Chase Newby powered the Braves with 12 points, while Jordan Hood and Lane Lazenby combined for 12 more.</span>
<span>Dylan Hamilton led the Jr. Jackets with six points.</span>