The Carlinville All-Star Basketball Classic finishes up the season with stellar results

By Tim Tarter

In the matchup of the Girls' West vs. East All-Stars, the West tried to force overtime, but missed a shot at the buzzer as the East held on to win. The East leads the all-time series 14-5.

Katie Campbell of Greenville was designated the MVP of the game; The CNB Bank and Trust 3-Point Winner was Abby Hendricks of North Mac. Hendricks made 9 three-pointers to edge out Katie Eckhardt of Vandalia who made 8 three-pointers.

Girls Coach of the Year:

This is never an easy decision due to the several area teams that had outstanding seasons.

Staunton set a school record for wins for the second consecutive season while finishing 27-6, winning the South Central Conference title and capturing a second straight Regional crown.

Carlinville went 23-8, Greenville was 19-10 and both teams finished in a 3-way tie for second in the SCC with Gillespie. Nokomis was 20-11 and won the MSM Conference title. Carrollton finished 22-9 and South Fork went 20-12.

However, Gillespie's Coach, Kevin Gray, led his team to its first regional title since 2012 and it’s first Macoupin County Tournament championship since 2002. They finished 26-8, their first 20-win season since 2002. In his 16th and final season as the head coach at Gillespie High School, Kevin Gray goes out on top as our 2024 Carlinville Rotary Club Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year.

In the Boys West vs. East game, the West rallied from being down 10 points in the final minutes scoring the last 11 points. Trevor Colwell of South County was fouled at the buzzer on a 3-point attempt from the left corner. He made the first two free throws for the walk off for the West All-Stars. The West leads the all-time series 13-7.

Bryce Hohnsbehn of Gillespie was named MVP of the game; The CNB Bank and Trust 3-Point Contest Winner was A.J. Odle of Litchfield. Odle made 11 three-pointers to edge out Trevor Colwell who had made 10 three-pointers.

The Prairie Farms Slam Dunk Contest Winner was Tate Dobrinich of Litchfield, who scored 47 out of a possible 50 points to win the dunk contest.

Boys Coach of the Year:

This year several of the area boys’ teams had banner seasons. Greenville and Litchfield shared the South Central Conference title finishing 23-9 and 20-13, respectively.

Southwestern finished third in the SCC while going 21-12. South County set a record for wins by the Waverly/Franklin coop going 25-9 and Greenfield/Northwestern made it three straight 20-win seasons by finishing 20-13.

However, Seth McCoyled his team to its first Sangamon County Tournament Championship since 1986 along with a Class 2A Regional title. His team finished 27-7 in his 7th season as the head coach. Congratulations to Seth McCoy, the 2024 Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year.