Game Report: Hononegah, Ill. 77, Beloit Memorial 75, OT

KEYS TO THE GAME Monday night's non-league game between schools from different states, but involving a pair of communities located about 10 minutes apart attracted a good-sized crowd. Indeed, venerable old Barkin Arena was rocking at times, but the home fans went away disappointed as a three-point shot from star junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561889' first='Amare' last='Hereford'] was short in overtime and Hononegah, Ill., drove home with a 77-75 victory. The game was close throughout with the host Purple Knights taking a 31-29 lead at half after a three-point play from Hereford in the closing seconds of the first half. The lead went back and forth in the second half with neither team being able to create much separation. Hononegah's 1-3-1 halfcourt zone defense did a good job for much of the game in limiting Hereford's drives to the hoop while Beloit Memorial's extended pressure created problems for the Indians' backcourt performers. Live-ball turnovers were turned into points for the Purple Knights while Hononegah worked the ball on offense until it got a high percentage shot in the paint. It looked like Hononegah was going to win in regulation after a foul was called on a Beloit defender with just :03.4 left in a tie game. But Caleb Hart's foul shot came up just short and Beloit's heave at the horn was well off the mark, sending the contest in overtime. Junior Oba Fasalojo made some big plays for Hononegah in overtime, but so did [player_tooltip player_id='2432735' first='Jeramiyah' last='McAllister'] of Beloit Memorial. In fact, it appeared McAllister had tied the game with a deep three in the closing seconds of overtime, but Beloit coach Todd Marks had called a timeout just prior to McAllister's shot. Hononegah improved to 14-9 with the hard-fought victory while Beloit Memorial slipped to 11-3. STAR OF THE GAME    McAllister was a constant force in the paint for Beloit Memorial in Monday's game against Hononegah. His size and strength were tough to deal with for a smallish Hononegah squad, and McAllister took full advantage, scoring 24 points and getting the foul line for 10 attempts and making eight. McAllister has taken some weight off his big frame over the last six months and that has helped his mobility and endurance. He still gets lost at times on defense, but he was a force on the offensive end all game for the Purple Knights. McAllister is averaging 13.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg for Beloit Memorial.    EMERGING PLAYERS    Hodges picked up his third foul with 10:33 left in the first half he sat on the bench until the start of the second 18 minutes. Although he got off to a slow start in the second half, he came alive over the final 12 minutes or so. He made a big steal that he converted to a layup and moments later buried a triple. Hodges also made a short jumper in the lane to finish with seven points. His ability to drive or shoot from the perimeter are assets the Purple Knights need to have so the foul trouble definitely hindered Beloit Memorial. Still, Hodges rallied in the second half and made some key plays for his team and his teammates.     The 1-3-1 zone defense employed by Hononegah coach Tom Schmidt no doubt was used in large part of keep Hereford out of the lane. It worked for large stretches, but Hereford still managed to score 20 points while also being patient with the ball in his hands, waiting for open passing lanes to his teammates. Hereford played every second of the game, and his ability to score in transition, over taller defenders in the half court, and from deep helped to keep fans on the edge of their seats for the entire second half and overtime.     Ford was maybe the most pleasant surprise of the game as his physical and mental toughness were evident on both ends of the court for Beloit Memorial. The 5-foot-10 combination guard scored 13 points after a rather slow start, and his ability to handle the ball in crowded situations and score with his strength in the lane were big assets for a Beloit Memorial squad that started four guards and one post player.     Olson was one of five players to score in double figures for Hononegah. The rangy wing prospect finished with 15 points for the Indians and he hit a big three-point shot in the tightly contested second half. Olson made outstanding decisions with the ball in his hands, and he did not force shots. Olson also handled the ball well against Hereford's constant pressure defense, and he used his length and size to get to the basket to score.    THE BIG PICTURE Beloit Memorial will have virtually no time to fester over the difficult loss to Hononegah as high-scoring Sun Prairie East plays at Barkin Arena on Tuesday in another non-conference outing. The Purple Knights then start the second round of Southern Lakes Conference play on Friday with a game at Elkhorn. Beloit Memorial nipped Elkhorn 72-71 at home in mid December and needs to win to remain in the thick of a crowded race for the Southern Lakes title. Hononegah plays at Rockford East in a NIC-10 contest on Wednesday and the Indians will look to improve to 8-4 in league play with a victory. Hononegah plays a home game Friday against NIC-10 rival Belvidere North. BOXSCORE Hononegah (29-40-8 = 77) Freedlund 17, Tell 0, Hart 7, Fasalojo 16, Olson 15, Bell 10, Briggs 0, Schmall 12. Three-point field goals: Fasalojo 1, Olson 1. FT: 11-19. Foued out: Freedlund. Record: 14-9. Beloit Memorial (31-38-6 = 75) Martin 8, Hereford 20, Ford 13, McAllister 24, Hodges 7, Leavy 1, Denu 2, Phiffer 0, Kurka 0. Three-point field goals: Martin 2, Hereford 1, Hodges 1. FT: 13-19. Fouled out: Ford. Record: 11-3.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Monday night's non-league game between schools from different states, but involving a pair of communities located about 10 minutes apart attracted a good-sized crowd. Indeed, venerable old Barkin Arena was rocking at times, but the home fans went away disappointed as a three-point shot from star junior Amare Hereford Amare Hereford 6'2" | PG Beloit Memorial | 2026 State WI was short in overtime and Hononegah, Ill., drove home with a 77-75 victory. The game was close throughout with the host Purple Knights taking a 31-29 lead at half after a three-point play from Hereford in the closing seconds of the first half. The lead went back and forth in the second half with neither team being able to create much separation. Hononegah's 1-3-1 halfcourt zone defense did a good job for much of the game in limiting Hereford's drives to the hoop while Beloit Memorial's extended pressure created problems for the Indians' backcourt performers. Live-ball turnovers were turned into points for the Purple Knights while Hononegah worked the ball on offense until it got a high percentage shot in the paint. It looked like Hononegah was going to win in regulation after a foul was called on a Beloit defender with just :03.4 left in a tie game. But Caleb Hart's foul shot came up just short and Beloit's heave at the horn was well off the mark, sending the contest in overtime. Junior Oba Fasalojo made some big plays for Hononegah in overtime, but so did Jeramiyah McAllister Jeramiyah McAllister 6'5" | C Beloit Memorial | 2025 WI of Beloit Memorial. In fact, it appeared McAllister had tied the game with a deep three in the closing seconds of overtime, but Beloit coach Todd Marks had called a timeout just prior to McAllister's shot. Hononegah improved to 14-9 with the hard-fought victory while Beloit Memorial slipped to 11-3.

STAR OF THE GAME