Area roundup: Sterling, Rock Falls boys basketball teams fall in season openers

Sauk Valley sports roundup

The Sterling boys basketball team fell 63-36 to Dundee-Crown on Wednesday in its season opener at the Leland Strombom Tournament in Sycamore.

The Golden Warriors fell behind 29-8 after the opening quarter, then Dundee-Crown pulled away with a 30-6 scoring edge in the third period.

Lucas Austin’s nine points led a balanced scoring effort for Sterling, with JP Schilling adding eight points, and Tyree Kelly, Andre Klaver and Kyle Billings finishing with five points each. Kelly, a senior still recovering from a leg injury suffered during football season, has been cleared to play limited minutes to start the season.

Geneseo tournament

Geneseo 65, Rock Falls 45: The Rockets were outscored 38-22 in the second half as the host Maple Leafs pulled away to win the opener at the Geneseo Thanksgiving Shootout.

Booker Cross poured in 23 points, and Gavin Sands hit three 3-pointers and finished with 15 points for Rock Falls.

Oregon tournament

South Beloit 49, Newman 39: The Comets fell in their second game of the season at the Oregon Thanksgiving Tournament, as they were outscored 25-13 in the second half after taking a 26-24 lead into halftime.

Lucas Simpson scored 12 points to pace Newman (1-1), and Alex Wiggington hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points.

Ross Robertson had a game-high 19 points for the SoBos, and Tanner Joiner added 14 points.

Oregon advances: The Hawks picked up a forfeit win over West Carroll in their second game at their own tournament to improve to 1-1 on the season.

Orion tournament

Erie-Prophetstown 62, Mercer County 53: The Panthers picked up their first win of the season, leading 15-10 after the opening quarter, 24-21 at halftime, and 43-35 through three quarters in a win at the 10 & 32 Tip-Off Classic in Orion.

Connor Sibley had a game-high 21 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, for Erie-Prophetstown (1-1), and Caleb Naftzger hit three 3s and added 14 points.

Owen Relander’s 19 points paced Mercer County.

Ty Reynolds

Ty Reynolds

Ty is the Sports Editor at Sauk Valley Media, and has covered sports in the Sauk Valley for more than two decades.