Pekin boys basketball survives against Columbus

PACKWOOD — Pekin boys basketball had to fend off a comeback effort by a spirited Columbus team Thursday night. It wasn’t the prettiest performance for the Panthers, but they made enough plays late to hang on 66-60 in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North thriller.

A 20-8 first quarter advantage quickly evaporated as Columbus cut the Panthers lead as low as three before halftime. The Wildcats didn’t go down quietly, even when Pekin was able to pull back ahead by double figures in the third quarter.

Columbus scored 21 points in the third and held Pekin to just nine in the second to set up an intense final period. The Wildcats went on a 6-0 run to make it 59-57 Pekin with 1:43 left.

“I think our guys were just rattled,” Pekin coach John Swanson said. “We thew a punch and they just punched back, and we just struggled with that tonight. A lot of careless turnovers and obviously finishing at the rim was a challenge.”

Pekin was able to execute just enough in the closing sequences. After Nolan Glick split a pair of free throws, Henry Adam stole the ball on Columbus’ next possession, leading to a converted and-1 for Cole Millikin.

“We have a saying, ‘next play,’” Millikin said. “Don’t let the last play bother you. Even if it’s a good play or a bad play, just focus on the next one. Just make sure that you keep on doing what we practice every day after school, and doing all the fundamentals right.”

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Columbus countered with a quick 3 by Drew Totemeier, and had a chance to tie after two missed free throws by Pekin. But the Wildcats but turned it over a second time, and Millikin went 2 of 2 at the line to increase Pekin’s lead to 65-60.

The Wildcats turned the ball over again when their inbound pass hit the ceiling of Pekin’s gym. They still had an opportunity to trim the lead when Pekin threw the ensuing pass from the baseline straight to Djamar Exantus. But the junior missed a fast break layup, and Alijah Brock went 1 of 2 from the line to seal the Panthers win.

“At this point in the year you don’t have time to work on those actual game situations in practice,” Swanson said. “You can’t ever realistically do that. So, I was really proud of the guys. We have a really veteran group, especially in the guard department. We’ve got two really good guards, and they know how to close games out and win. So, that’s a lot of it right there.”

Though Pekin cooled off in the middle portion of the game, Millikin never slowed down. He attacked Columbus’ defense inside and outside of the arc to lead the Panthers with 27 points, including five points in the final two minutes.

“Past couple of years I’ve always considered myself as a shooter,” Millikin said. “So, that name for myself can open up a lot of different opportunities. So, I work off that. The name of the game is just working and scoring on what the defense gives to you.”

Glick also finished in double figures with 13 points in the win. Brock had a strong outing with 11.

Columbus was led by junior Ellis Hills-Carrier, who finished with 20 points in the loss. Totemeier’s late-game 3 gave him 15 points on the night. Fritz Massillon came alive in the second half and finished with 11.

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The Wildcats were able to parlay the narrow defeat into a win in their next game, defeating Wapello 71-63 on Friday. They will next face WACO on Jan. 2 at home.

Pekin couldn’t manage to turn the victory into an upset over Hillcrest Academy, which remains at the top of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North. The Panthers fell 57-49 on Friday and will next face Highland at 2 p.m. Jan. 2 inside the Casey’s Center.

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Other area scores from Thursday and Friday.

Dec. 18

Highland X, WACO X

Mediapolis 56, Winfield-Mt. Union 39

Dec. 19

Mid-Prairie 58, Durant 53

Danville 68, Van Buren County 28

Mediapolis 84, New London 57

Montezuma 64, Keota 56

Chariton 60, Cardinal 27

Mediapolis 76, New London 13