Warriors open LIC play with convincing win over Robinson

Featured Photo Caption: Jackson High elevates for a dunk during conference action against Robinson. High scored 16 points to help pace the Warrior offense in the win. —photo by Terri Cox

By Terri Cox

The Casey-Westfield Warriors opened Little Illini Conference play on Friday night with a dominant performance, defeating Randy Bishop’s Robinson Maroons 69-42 on the road. The Junior Varsity squad made it a clean sweep with a comeback 41-36 victory.

Varsity Action
After a missed opening shot by Robinson, Fred Thomas secured the rebound, leading to a Nolan Clement assist to Jackson High for the game’s first points. Clement remained active on defense, picking up a steal and feeding Leighton Jones for a 4-0 lead.

Robinson managed to cut the deficit to 6-5, but a steal by Jack Julius led to another High basket. The Warriors closed the first quarter strong, taking a 15-7 lead.

Daryn Hupp opened the second quarter with a three-pointer assisted by High. Robinson responded with a 7-0 run to pull within five at 18-14. However, the Warriors countered with a run of their own, highlighted by five consecutive points from Jones to take a 33-21 lead into halftime.

CW’s defense forced multiple turnovers in the third quarter, allowing the offense to extend the lead to 50-32. Jones completed an and-one play early in the fourth to push the advantage to 20 points, and the Warriors cruised to the 69-42 league victory.

Leighton Jones led all scorers with 27 points, while Jackson High added 16. Daryn Hupp contributed nine points and five rebounds. Clement finished with four steals and four rebounds.

Junior Varsity Action
The JV Warriors overcame a slow start to earn a hard-fought 41-36 win.

After trailing 30-28 heading into the fourth quarter, CW righted the ship. The Warriors outscored Robinson 13-6 in the final frame to secure the victory.

Landon Justice posted another double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Will Moore narrowly missed a double-double of his own, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.

Riley Phillips skies for a rebound against the Maroons. Phillips contributed to the defensive effort in the JV squad’s 41-36 comeback victory. —photo by Terri Cox