Marengo downs Sweet Water in OT to advance; Linden moves on

An exciting night of basketball in the first round of the Class 1A, Area 4 boys tournament saw Linden and Marengo advance to Friday’s championship game.

Marengo rallied with an 18-point fourth quarter to force overtime against Sweet Water, getting eight points from Cordarius Pritchett in the bonus frame to win 55-53. After having gone scoreless in the game’s middle quarters, Pritchett hung 14 points on the board in the fourth and overtime including a 6 of 8 stretch from the free throw line. Roosevelt Thompson played the role of wingman, scoring seven points in the fourth quarter to help force the extra period.

After having led 22-18 at half, the Panthers managed only five points in the third quarter to open the door for Sweet Water.

The Bulldogs got a huge second half out of 6-6 senior Anthony Jones, who scored 18 points after the intermission to get his team back in the game.

Pritchett finished with 20 points for the Panthers. Thompson added 12 points. Jones paced Sweet Water with 20 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks. Trenton Sams added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Sweet Water ends its season at 10-7.

Top-seeded Linden followed with a 66-54 win over A.L. Johnson. Linden scored 42 of its points in the second half to put away a scrappy ALJ squad.

Isaiah Scott led Linden with 17 points. Deantre Johnson added 16 while Dequan Charleston scored 13. JaQuarius Varner had nine for the Patriots.

A.L. Johnson got the bulk of its offense from Leo Baker who finished with 25 points. Robin Harris and Lonnie Henton scored eight apiece for the Eagles. ALJ ends its season at 3-16.

Linden (17-9) hosts Marengo (7-11) Friday night in the Area 4 championship. Linden and Marengo will also meet in the finals of the girls draw at 5:30 Friday in Linden.