03-10-12
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA

Riding the defensive strength that they had shown all year and Brandon Book's 28-points and 11-rebounds, Central finished its dream season with an impressive 53-47 title game triumph over a deep and talented Normal University High club.

The 6-foot-6 senior Book started off slow but “heated up” in the second half to lead his team to the championship. Book was the “real deal” from the foul line, going 10-of-11 from the stripe.

His teammates combined with Book for a 19-of-25 effort from the foul line.

Unlike in past seasons and trips to Peoria that came up empty, the Cougars won both of its games to return to Clinton County as state champions.

Holding U-High to just 34.8 percent shooting from the floor (16-of-46) Central added another defensive gem to its 34-1 mark.

“That (defense) has been the common denominator for us all year,' said Coach Eagleson. “We lost (number 11) a few times in the first half but we got better in the second half. One of our keys this year was Brandon Book got better defensively throughout the year. That was a big factor to us getting here. I think that it is just defensive confidence. The kids had the attitude that they could shut people down, no matter who it was.”

Behind Book the offensive support came from senior guard Nick Grapperhaus and junior forward Austin Rickhoff.

Each scored seven points for Central.

Grapperhaus connected on four consecutive free throws in the final :08 to secure the championship. He didn't make a field goal attempt but was 7-of-8 from the foul line.

Book, who started the game hitting just 3-of-12 shots in the first half, got his club going during a big third quarter run the turned the tide in the Cougars' favor.

“One thing about Brandon, he isn't a real emotional, chest-pumping kid. He keeps a pretty even keel out there,” said Coach Eagleson. “He just never loses his confidence and he's a shooter.”

The all-stater scored 13-points in the third period, connecting from the outside for a trio of 3-pointers.

His first bomb, from the right wing, tied the score at 24-all with 4:13 to go.

When he cashed in his second trifecta ticket from the left wing, Central led 29-24.

This was part of a 10-0 run.

Book closed the quarter with yet his third long range shot and then his pair of free throws closed the stanza at 34-28 Cougars.

“I've just got to play my game. I'm an “inside-outside” player,” said Brandon Book. “I took the opportunity when they gave it to me. That is how we roll here (defense) and the famous quote is true, defense wins championships.”

But the biggest key for Central in the third frame was its defense.

Normal U-High hit just 2-of-10 shots in the third quarter, allowing the Cougars to take over the contest.

The Pioneers, who saw their season end at 28-5, made one last push at Breese Central.

The Cougars had some trouble in the final quarter taking care of the ball. Central committed six of its 15-turnovers in the final eight minutes.

But Book and Company came up big late. Book drove the lane for huge basket while being fouled by 6-foot-8 senior Mitch Styczynski.

Although his missed the free throw, his only misfire from the line in the game, Central led 49-45.

Normal U-High closed the gap to within 49-47 on a tip-in by 6-foot-8 Mitch Styczynski with just :11.2 remaining.

But then it was free throw shooting time as the Pioneers were forced to foul.

Grapperhaus closed the game to set off the Purple clad celebration.

“For the most part, we had the right guys up there (shooting free throws) Brandon and Nick are pretty good shooting free throws,' added Coach Eagleson.

Styczynski topped Normal U-High with 10-points while 6-foot-7 sophomore Keita Bates-Diop scored just seven points, six below his season average.

Guard Kyle Morris added nine points for the Pioneers, who were trying to win their second boy's basketball title (1995) but their rally fell short.

“Give (Breese) credit being down at halftime,” said Bob Fitzgerald, Normal U-High head coach. “They came out and knocked us off our feet in the third quarter. But this team is resilient. They’ve been down a number of times this year and come back. I couldn’t be more proud of the Pioneers giving ourselves a chance.”

Normal U-High had its best run of the game at the end of the second quarter.

Scoring the last seven points of the half with 6-foot-6 sophomore reserve Kane Wildermuth making a pair of shots in the paint for a 22-17 halftime lead.

Central was 15-of-36 from the floor and 4-of-9 from behind the 3-point line with Book making all four.

The Cougars held a 34-28 rebounding edge as Coach Eagleson, who had not won a game in his previous four trips to Peoria, won back-to-back games and the state championship.

“It just gives me chills thinking about it (winning the state title) I really don't know what to do,” said Brandon Book. “I don't know if I should cry or start jumping around. It is unbelievable.”

For the first time since Pinckneyville won the state title in Class A back in 2001, southern Illinois has not one but two state champions (Woodlawn in 1A).

“When I first got into the coaching profession I heard a lot about that (southern Illinois pride) about the state tournament and even in the darn all-star game. We (southern Illinois) are supposed to win that every year,” added Coach Eagleson. “I'm happy for all of the people in the South to win it for them.”