Danville catches fire, blows past Van Buren

DANVILLE ? Steven Soukup scored 45 points and the Danville boys advanced to the Class 1A District 9 final with an 80-40 victory over Van Buren on Tuesday.

Danville, which also received 16 points from brother Michael Soukup, led 26-11 after the first quarter. The Warriors chopped the 15-point deficit to 26-23 midway through the second quarter, but Danville answered with a 20-2 run to end the first half.

In the second half with the game out of reach, Danville outscored Van Buren 34-15.

Freshman Will Mertens and sophomore Garrett Saunders, who hit a pair of 3s, scored 10 points apiece to lead the Warriors. Thomas Fitzsimmons and Tanner Smith added eight points each.

As a team, the Warriors shot 15-for-36 from the field and made 8 of 9 free throw attempts.

The Warriors finish the season with a 14-9 record. Danville plays Pekin in the regional final Thursday at Muscatine.

Class 1A District 9 Semifinal

Van Buren @ Danville

VAN BUREN ? 11 14 11 4 ? 40

DANVILLE ? 26 20 20 14 ? 80

VAN BUREN ? Mertens 3 4-4 10, Saunders 3 2-3 10, Smith 4 0-0 8, Fitzsimmons 3 2-2 8, Garrett 1 0-0 2, Whitten 1 0-0 2, Plecker 0 0-0 0, Totals 15 8-9 40.

3-point goals ? Saunders 2.