Jane Addams Boys Will Play for State Championship Thursday

Editor's Note: The following is a release from the Valley View School District.

will play for the Illinois Elementary School Association’s eighth grade boys basketball state championship Thursday night following two convincing victories Saturday in the state quarterfinals and semifinals.

The Mustangs (20-2) will meet unbeaten Kingsley Junior High of Normal at 7:30 p.m. at Olympia High School in Stanford for the state title. Kingsley beat Addams in the seventh grade state championship game last year.

Addams knocked off Forest Trails Junior High of Park Forest 59-43 in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon as Tuf Borland scored 26 points including 10 field goals and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Devon Sams added 17. Terrence Williams scored 8, Antowine Locke 6 and Trey Mack 2.

After building up a 36-21 halftime lead with their speed and slick passing, Addams let Forest Trails get back within six points in the third quarter before pouring it on to take a 47-34 lead into the final period.

In Saturday night’s semifinal contest, the Mustangs took care of Liberty Junior High of New Lenox (25-3) 59-41, outscoring the losers 33-19 in the second half. It was 17-10 after a quarter and 26-22 at halftime.

Three Addams players hit double figures: Borland and Sams with 12 and Williams with 11. Locke added 9, Mack 8, Frasean Isom 5 and Alex West 2.

Other team members include Javon Bell, Xavier Davis, Elliot English, Jaylen Griffin, Mike Reetz, and Trenton Roberson Alex West. Chris Tauber in their manager and Josh Gage is the head coach.