Area roundup: Sterling boys cruise past Alleman in Western Big 6 opener in Rock Island

The Sterling boys basketball team rolled to victory in its Western Big 6 opener on Friday night in Rock Island, grabbing an early lead and never looking back in a 75-35 win over Alleman.

The Golden Warriors (5-1, 1-0 WB6) led 25-14 after the first quarter, then outscored the Pioneers 28-5 in the second to stretch the lead to 53-19 by halftime.

JP Schilling poured in 27 of his game-high 31 points in the first half for Sterling, while Tyree Kelly scored 17 and Andre Klaver finished with 14.

Jackson Praet led Alleman with 11 points.

Stillman Valley 54, Oregon 26: The Hawks were outscored 18-5 in each of the first two quarters of a Big Northern Conference loss on the road.

Josh Crandall’s eight points paced Oregon, with Isaac Nelson and Noah Johnson finishing with five points apiece.

Evan Davidson scored 14 points to lead the Cardinals.

Erie-Prophetstown 53, Bureau Valley 41: The Panthers won a Three Rivers crossover contest, defeating the Storm in Prophetstown.

Morrison 59, Wethersfield 38: The Mustangs went on the road and picked up a lopsided nonconference win in Kewanee.

Ottawa Marquette 80, AFC 38: The Raiders never got on track in a nonconference loss in Ashton.

Griffin Bushman had 12 points, Carson Rueff scored 10, and Mason Munroe added eight for AFC, which trailed 23-8 after one quarter, 46-24 at halftime, and 66-33 through three periods.

Aidan Thompson poured in 24 points to lead the Crusaders, who had 10 different players score, including four in double-figures.

Girls basketball

Byron 48, Rock Falls 43: The Rockets got off to a slow start and couldn’t catch up despite a strong second half in their Big Northern Conference opener at Tabor Gym.

Jacee Sigel had 11 points, and Brooke Howard scored nine for Rock Falls (4-3, 0-1 BNC), which trailed 19-4 after the opening quarter and 27-9 at halftime before outscoring the Tigers 21-6 in the third period. Mallory Pinske added eight points.

“We played an awesome second half,” Rock Falls coach Dan Herrera said, “and I’m not sure if a couple more minutes would have helped us win the game, but I certainly would have loved to see us battle through a few more.”

Ava Kultgen’s 17 points led Byron, while Ella Gundstrom scored 13 and Isabelle McKinley chipped in 12.

Rockford Christian 44, Oregon 41: The Hawks fell behind 11-5 after the opening quarter and never quite caught up to the Royal Lions in their Big Northern opener at the Blackhawk Center.

Mariah Drake scored 17 points, and Hadley Lutz finished with 15 for Oregon (3-4, 0-1 BNC), which trailed 20-16 at halftime and 30-26 through three quarters.

Courtney Park had 15 points for Rockford Christian, with Rylie Colombi adding 10 and Avery Demo chipping in nine.

Dakota 39, Milledgeville 15: The Missiles trailed 18-6 by halftime and 30-10 through three quarters in an NUIC loss at home.

Olivia Schuman scored six points for Milledgeville, and Brooklyn Balsiger finished with five points and five rebounds.

Mary Zettle had a game-high 12 points to lead Dakota, and Hailey Neidermeier added eight.

Boys bowling

Oregon 3,323, Rockford Lutheran 2,473: The Hawks won all three games by at least 200 pins in a dual win at Park Lanes in Loves Park.

Jackson Werren rolled games of 236, 201 and 213 for a 650 series, and Isaac Kaltenbrun closed out his 605 series with games of 206 and 221. Brady Davis finished his 580 series with a 223 game, Brandon Rowe added a 571 series, and Stylar Klapp (480) and Gavvin Surmo (437) also bowled for Oregon (7-2).

Jay Stames had a match-high 674 series for the Crusaders, including a 244 opening game and a 233 final game.

Girls bowling

Oregon 2,356, Rockford Lutheran 2,279: The Hawks built a 132-pin lead through the first two games, then held on to edge past the Crusaders at Park Lanes in Loves Park.

Ava Wight finished off her match-high 620 series with games of 233 and 203 to lead Oregon (3-2). Mackenzie Alford had a 200 second game in her 466 series, and Paige Beauchem rolled a 445. Trinity Hultquist (359) and Kylie Krug (210) also competed for the Hawks.

Melanie Horn closed her 607 series with games of 205 and 218 for Rockford Lutheran, and Paige Garr-Koch added a 573 series.