Moline wins Class 4A title first one in school history in first title game appearance in 72 years!!

Iowa commits dominated this game for Moline. Brock Harding (6'0") from perimeter, while Owen Freeman (6'10' center) took care of the paint area on both ends. Harding was a line maestro for his first three years. Then the Freeman brothers (Braden is a 6'6" sophomore) from Bradley Bourbonnais. State title dreams danced in the heads of the players and fans. They made it a reality last night.

Moline 59 Benet Academy (Lisle) 42: Moline controlled the tempo from the start as Harding scored early and often for the second game in a row. He ended up with 28 points on 7 for 11 shooting, 3 for 6 from three, and 11 for 14 from the free throw line with 3 steals. He was fouled twice shooting threes in the first half. He was the only one in double figures. While he was scoring Owen Freemsn was giving Benet a hard time with his rim protecting in the paint. He had only one block, but altered a bunch of shots. He had 6 points 9 rebounds and 3 assists. When Freeman was in foul trouble, Jasper Ogburn (6'1" senior forward) and Treyvon Taylor (6'5" sophomore wing) had some key offensive rebounds and put backs. Ogburn and Taylor both had 6 rebounds. Benet had three players in double figures led by Brayden Fagbemi (6'0" senior point guard), a Johns Hopkins commit, with 12 points 2 rebounds 2 assists and 2 steals before fouling out early in fourth quarter, Andy Nash (6'4" senior guard) had 12 points and 4 rebounds. Niko Abusara (6'5" senior wing), a Dartmouth commit had 10 points 5 rebounds but on 5 for 18 shooting and 5 turnovers. They missed Brady Kunka (6'3" senior guard) who sprained his ankle in the semifinals and did not play.

Moline ends season with a 35-3 record and a championship. Benet Academy (Lisle) loses first game of 2023 and ends with a 35-2 record and a runners-up finish.