Eighth-graders win regional

Markus Isaiah and Drew Thompson combined for 24 points and made crucial free throws late as the Vandalia Junior High School eighth-grade boys basketball team defeated Greenville for the Vandalia Regional title on Tuesday night.

The Vandals led 12-10 after the first quarter, 19-14 at the half and 26-17 after three quarters, then fought off a late push by the Jays to advance to sectional play.
Vandalia will play the winner of the Gillespie-North Mac regional contest at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday at Auburn Junior High School in Divernon.
Isaiah scored eight points and Thompson five through three quarters, then came through big as Greenville threatened.
Isaiah connected on five of six free throws in the fourth quarter, and Thompson hit a key three-pointer and three of four free throws as the Vandals hung on for the regional title win.
Vandalia – Casey 0 2-2 – 2, Tarkington 3 1-1 – 7, Goldsmith 2 0-2 – 4, Thompson 3 3-4 – 11, Isaiah 4 5-6 – 13, Stewart 1 0-2 – 2. Totals 13 11-15 – 39.
Three-point goals – Thompson 2.
 

Vandalia Junior High School’s eighth-grade boys basketball team edged Greenville on Tuesday to win the IESA Regional championship at VJHS. In front, from left, are Mitchell Casey, Riley Ruckman, Gage Beall, Hayden Marquardt, Logan Supp, Kyle Miller, Noah Sasse and Cole Tarkington. In back are assistant coach Mark Rinehart, Gabe Cox, Michael Bowles, Drew Thompson, coach Nick Casey, Markus Isaiah, Case Goldsmith, Alex Dunn, Cody Stewart and Andreu Brewer.

Markus Isaiah drives in for a layup in the second half of Tuesday’s regional championship. More photos from the game will be in a photo gallery at www.leaderunion.com later this week and in Tuesday’s Leader-Union Extra.

Vandalia’s Drew Thompson gets off a pass while guarded by three Greenville defenders.