The Morrison Mustangs spent the week competing in the Forreston Annual Holiday Tourney, They finished in 12th place out of 16 teams, in a loss to Lena-Winslow 42-39.
The Forreston, IL, tourney is a challenge each year, and the Morrison representation has only finished in the top four twice (second place in 1978, and in 2008.) The dates always fall during Finals’ Week. Many games are played with an 8:00 p.m. start time, which makes for a late night with a possible final exam the next day.
To add to the aforementioned elements effecting the formula for success in Forreston, the Mustangs started the tourney after losing Joey Brackemyer to suspension and later losing starter Anthony Tenboer to injury in game two.
With all that aside, the 2014-15 Mustangs went to Forreston and fought hard, losing game one on a last-second shot to lose by two.
Game two was won in overtime.
Game three went down to the last seconds before losing by five.
Game four, against Lena-Winslow, fit the pattern for the week with several lead changes. The final results were determined by the effort at the free throw line. The Panthers made 7-of-9 free throws, with leading scorer Joe Robinson making all six of his attempts. The Mustangs only shot 46% (6/13) on the evening. The game was still in doubt when Lena-Winslow’s Luke Schubert went to the free throw line with 3.1 seconds left and the score at 41-39. Schubert made the first, but missed the second, and Morrison called a time-out after gaining the rebound. The clock allowed the Mustangs to make two quick passes to set up Sitzmore’s 22-footer that missed the mark. This sent the Mustangs home with a 12th place award.
Final score was Morrison 39, Lena-Winslow 42.
Morrison 5 – 15 – 11 – 8 = 39
Lena-Winslow 11 – 10 – 11 -10 = 42
Morrison Scoring: (2-pt, 3-pt, ftm/fta) Houzenga (0,0,0/0=0); Sitzmore (0,2,4/7=10); VanZuiden (0,1,0/0=3); Church (5,0,0/0=10); Muur (0,0,0/0=0); Hamstra (4,0,1/4=9); Hogue (0,2,1/2=7).