BJHS seventh-grade girls lose in first round at state

The Brownstown seventh-grade girls basketball team ran into a tough test at the state tournament on Saturday at Central A&M Jr. High.

Taking on one-loss Eureka, Brownstown was unable to continue its dream season after a 42-27 loss. Strong defense from Eureka created a 10-point halftime lead that wouldn't be lost.

Deana Shelton had 11 points to lead Brownstown (16-6), and Dana Shelton added six and Fatima Viramontes added five.

Eureka (23-1) went on to qualify for this Thursday’s state championship game. Monticello (27-0) awaits.

Saturday, Dec. 1
Eureka 42
Brownstown 27
B: 2-8-5-12—27
E: 7-13-15-7—42
Points:  De. Shelton, 11; Da. Shelton, 6; Viramontes, 5; Madison Carson, 2; Brooke Mayfield, 2; Makenzie Parkison, 1.
Record: 16-5

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VANDALIA – A strong defensive effort allowed the Brownstown seventh-grade girls basketball team to control the game from start to finish and qualify for the state tournament last Wednesday.

Getting 24 steals, including 10 that came off of inbound passes, Brownstown dismantled Roxana, 24-10, in the Vandalia Sectional, earning a trip to the Illinois Elementary School Association state championships.

“I’m excited, because this group has worked hard,” said coach Emily Dees. “They have a really good attitude, and believe in themselves.”

Brownstown had stolen two inbound passes and secured three offensive rebounds in the first 2:03 of the game, and both of those efforts would continue for the rest of the game.

Deana Shelton scored the first points of the game on a second-chance layup with 3:57 left in the first quarter, and she would go on to score nine points and grab a game-high 14 rebounds.

Eleven of those rebounds came on the offensive end, and she turned them into seven points.

“She deserved every one of them,” Dees said.

Shelton also added six steals.

Dana Shelton led Brownstown with 11 points, and Fatima Viramontes had a game-high eight steals.
Viramontes and Makenzie Parkison each had a field goal for Brownstown.

Roxana would tie the game at 2-2 shortly after Brownstown’s first shot, but that would be the last points it would score until making a third-chance layup with three seconds left in the third quarter.

By that time, Brownstown was ahead, 20-4, and had forced 28 turnovers.

“Our defense and press are always excellent, so if we keep that up, we should do OK at state,” Dees said.

All five of Brownstown’s starters had at least three steals in the game, with Dana Shelton recording four, and Brooke Mayfield and Parkison each getting three.

By the end of the game, Roxana had committed 37 turnovers.

“I think it’s in their blood,” Dees said about her team's aggressive style. “Some of them see that ball and want it.”

Box score
Wednesday, Nov. 28
at Vandalia Sectional
Brownstown 24
Roxana 10
R: 2-0-2-6—10
B: 8-4-8-4—24
Points: Dana Shelton, 11; Deana Shelton, 9; Parkison, 2; Viramontes, 2.
Rebounds: Deana Shelton, 14; Team, 6; Dana Shelton, 5; Mayfield, 4; Viramontes, 4; Parkison, 2.
Steals: Viramontes, 8; Deana Shelton, 6; Dana Shelton, 4; Mayfield, 3; Parkison, 3.
Block: Parkison, 1.
Record: 16-5