Rockford Area Two Step: Christian (Rockford) beats rival Lutheran (Rockford) then Pecatonica stays undefeated with win at Byron!!!! Top performers and milestones 29 JAN 2025!!!!!

Big Tim

2 days ago5 min read

I'm driving to Rockford Area to check out Pecatonica vs Byron, and saw on the schedule Christian (Rockford) is playing their rival Lutheran (Rockford) at Rockford College at 5pm. I decided to make the trip a little more worthwhile checking out two solid games. Both were entertaining and saw some new talent. Here we go:

Christian (Rockford) 77 Lutheran 60 at Rockford College:

I had been told a lot about Christian (Rockford) senior guard Christian Cummings. I had also heard about senior Elijah Daugherty in passing. This was an opportunity to check both out. I'll say this is one of the most exploisive backcourts I've seen in awhile. If another team in Class 2A has as good a backcourt as this one I'd love to see it. Both under 6'0", can get to the rim whether in half court, or attacking downhill with quick first step and athletic finishes at the rim. Both can shoot the three with quick hands on defense to get steals.

First quarter:

Lutheran started out shooting well from three as they hit 3 threes in the quarter (Logan Currington 2, Zach Vanblaricom 1). Meanwhile Christian's Cummings was aggressive takng 7 shots in the quarter hitting 3 for 7 points. Daugherty took 6 shots hitting 2 plus a free throw for 6 points. Lutheran led 17-15 at the end of one quarter.

Second quarter:

Lutheran senior Joey Luna came off the bench and hit 3 threes in a row for all 9 of his points for the game. He carried them offensively as Lutheran scored 13 for the quarter. Cummings cooled off in the quarter going 2 for 6 from the field and committed his third foul. Christian scored 16 points but trailed 32-31 at half.

Third quarter:

Both teams picked it up offensively but Christian took over the game in this quarter. Cummings scored 15 points in the quarter hitting two threes and getting to the free throw line off his attacks off the dribble. Went 6 of 7 from the free throw line, and 3 for 4 from the field. Christian junior Brody Carlson scored 7 of his 14 points in the quarter. Christian outscored Lutheran 29-20 in the quarter for a 60-52 lead.

Fourth quarter:

Christian pushed the lead up to 15 early in the quarter to break the game open. Only three players scored in the quarter (Cummings, Daugherty, and Carlson. It was enough to create the separation needed. Vanblaricom scored all 8 points on 2 threes for Lutheran in the quarter. Christian outscored Lutheran 17-8 in thw quarter for final score.

Top performances:

Christian (Rockford):

Senior Christian Cummings 33 points 13 rebounds (double/double) 3 steals

Senior Elijah Daugherty 22 points 7 rebounds 2 steals

Junior Brody Carlson 14 points 5 rebounds 1 steal

Lutheran (Rockford):

Junior Zach Vanblaricom 17 points (5 threes)

Senior Logan Currington 13 points 1 steal

Senior Joey Luna 9 points 2 steals

Christian (Rockford) ups it's record to 19-2.

Lutheran (Rockford) drops to 10-12.

Note: Christian (Rockford) Head Coach Isaiah Johnson won his 200th game last night. Congrats.

Pecatonica 83 Byron 70 at Byron:

Lots of football players from both teams at Byron is a football powerhouse as is Pecatonica. Jaxson Diedrich of Pecatonica and Caden Considine of Byron are all state in their classes. Experience of undefeated Pecatonica showed up in the second half as they got a working margin in the fourth quarter for the win. Very good all around team, shooters, scorers, passers, rebounders, physical (more than a few play football), and stayed in front of their man at times. Will host their own Sectional with a great chance of getting to the Class 1A DeKalb (NIU) Supersectional. They will have tough games at Neuqua Valley (Naperville) and St Laurence (Burbank) at end of regular season to stay undefeated.

First quarter:

Fastpaced action by both teams as they were pushing the pace. Byron junior Cason Newton came out firing and did not stop. Had 10 first quarter points. Pecatonica had balanced scoring as it was 19-19 at the end of the quarter.

Second quarter:

More of the same as players were isolating and getting to the basket on back downs and spin moves to finish through contact. Pecatonica's Jordan Gassman scored 8 points in the quarter, Jaxon Diedrich scored 6. Newton scored 7 in the quarter. Pecatonica ourscored Byron 24-21 for a 43-40 lead.

Third quarter:

Pecatonica created more seperation with steals and attacks to the rim. They scored only one three pointer in the quarter by Cooper Hoffman. Six different players scored in the quarter. They held Newton to 5 points in the quarter. Pecatonica outscored Byron 21-15 for a 64-55 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter:

Pecatonica held a double digit lead for most of the quarter, as Byron never got closer than 8 even though Newton got hot again. Scored 11 points on 3 threes in the quarter. Balanced scoring once again for Pecatonica as six different players scored once again in the quarter. Sophomore big man Zion Brimah showed a ton of energy on the glass the entire game and did some rim protecting. Pecatonica outscored Byron 19-15 for final margin.

Top performances:

Pecatonica:

Senior Cooper Hoffman 22 points 2 steals