CLIFTON — Jake Funk went for 12 points and 11 rebounds as El Paso-Gridley beat St. Joseph-Ogden, 45-32, in on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Class 2A Clifton Central Sectional.
The fifth-ranked Titans (28-2) now play No. 6 Monticello (30-3) at 7 p.m. Friday. A win would give EP-G — winners of 16 in a row — its first ever boys basketball sectional championship.
Luke Ihlenfeldt scored the first seven points for El Paso-Gridley, which led 11-8 after one quarter. The senior finished with 13. Asa Smith also had 13 points.
Division I recruit Tyler Pence was held to six points for St. Joseph-Ogden (23-10), which saw Logan Smith score 11.
Tuesday’s semifinals: Peoria Christian, Farmington win IHSA boys basketball sectional semifinals
Eureka loses in sectional semi
MENDOTA — Eureka saw its season end to Taylor Ridge Rockridge, 55-48 in the 2A Mendota Sectional semifinal.
Rockridge (25-6) takes its 14-game win streak into the 7 p.m. Friday sectional final with Farmington (25-7), which beat the Rockets by 13 on Dec. 28.
The Hornets (24-7) took a 44-43 midway through the final quarter before Rockridge ended the game on a 12-4 spurt.
CLASS 1A
Putnam County moves to sectional title
STREATOR — Putnam County is a step closer to winning its first sectional since 1983, beating Chicago Fenger 56-46 in Wednesday’s Streator Woodland Sectional semifinal.
Jackson McDonald scored 20 points and Austin Mattingly added 17 to lead the Panthers (21-14), who face No. 1 Yorkville Christian (22-13) at 7 p.m. Friday.
IHSA boys basketball: Peoria-area postseason schedules, scores and pairings
United loses before Sweet Sixteen
ABINGDON — United lost to Augusta Southeastern, 51-35, on Wednesday in the Abingdon-Avon Sectional semifinal.
Augusta Southeastern (29-4) faces Peoria Christian (26-6) at 7 p.m. Friday in the sectional title,
Danny Stephens scored 32 for Southeastern. The Red Storm finish the season at 27-7.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.