With the Sequoits picking up a crucial win on Feb. 9 against Waconda High School, coaches and fans worried that the Antioch Community High School players’ energy would be lacking for upcoming games from playing in such a physical and mentally challenging game. However, the Sequoits showed in their game against the Round Lake Panthers that there was no need to stress.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, Senior Night for the ACHS basketball boys took place against the Panthers at ACHS. Seniors Carter Webb, Joel Bulka, Ben Thomson, Colby Priller, and Dean Brewer were all honored in their final game at Antioch Community High School. Webb, Bulka, and Thomson were all in the starting lineup and played quality minutes throughout the game; Priller and Brewer unfortunately did not play due to injury and illness.
The Sequoits started the game off with fast-paced plays, with junior Marshall Gehrke scoring the first point with a dunk. The first quarter ended with the Sequoits holding a 23-7 lead. The second quarter held many baskets made for the Sequoits and a very strong defense, ending with a 43-10 score at halftime for the Sequoits.
The second half of the game saw many substitutions and minutes distributed to many different players. All players proved their minutes to be well worth it as the Sequoits dominated the third quarter, taking a 64-16 lead in the final eight minutes. In the fourth quarter, the seniors subbed out a few minutes in, with many rounds of applause following. The juniors and sophomores finished off the game with a 72-21 win for the Sequoits, who officially clinched a share of the NLCC conference title for the first time in 43 years.
Webb dropped 17 points to lead all players, while Gehrke followed close behind with 12 points of his own. Eight other Sequoits also scored in their time on the court. Senior Joel Bulka logged nearly a double-double, with eight points and nine rebounds. Bulka’s nine rebounds were a team-high as ten other Sequoits followed him up grabbing boards of their own. The win was an entire team effort from the top of the roster to the bottom.
The Sequoits now turn their attention to IHSA Regionals as they have earned an 11-seed in the Arlington Heights (St. Viator) Sectional and will play their first game against 5-seed Niles (Notre Dame) on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Bensenville (Fenton) High School. Make sure to go out and bring the energy to Bensenville as the Sequoits officially start their run to the state championship.
