CPU wins first Wamac boys’ basketball title with 90-86 overtime triumph over Benton

CENTER POINT – At this rate, the third act should be a doozy.

Benton Community and Center Point-Urbana squared off for the Wamac West boys' basketball championship Tuesday night, just six days before they face off in a Class 3A substate quarterfinal.

Four free throws from CPU senior Jace Jirak in the closing seconds of overtime were the biggest of his team-high 21 points, and the Stormin' Pointers claimed their first Wamac division title in school history, 90-86, over Benton.

'We had a vision and a goal,' CPU Coach Mike Halac said. 'First step was conference champs. After that, we need to keep going.'

Jirak made 6-of-9 shots from the field, including 5 for 7 from the 3-point line, and made all of his five free throw attempts.

Benton Community (15-6, 11-3) had won 15 of 16 games since an 0-4 start. Its last two losses were both to CPU.

This latest CPU triumph sets the stage for the aforementioned win-or-go-home contest Monday at Mount Vernon.

'That makes us feel pretty good,' Jirak said. 'I know they're going to bring it Monday, and we definitely are too.'

CPU (14-7, 12-2 Wamac) jumped on the Bobcats early behind senior Clayton Kramer, who tallied 13 first-quarter points as the Stormin' Pointers led by 15 after the first frame. Kramer finished with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting.

'We're a confident team, our kids play hard,' Halac said. 'They don't back down from anybody and I'm so proud of them but it's zero-zero come next Monday.'

Benton chipped away at the deficit with a 22-10 surge to close the first half, then grabbed a 47-42 lead with nine-straight points to begin the second. Benton guard Lathan Cooper was fantastic, both from behind the 3-point line and when penetrating to the basket. The senior finished with a game-high 27 points.

CPU received a spark off the bench from junior JoJo Frost, who scored all 10 of his points and collected all but one of his eight rebounds in the second half as the Stormin' Pointers regained a double-digit lead, 63-50, with a 16-1 explosion to end the third quarter.

'Whenever we get down, our coach is usually able to pull us together,' Jirak said. 'Really be able to pull us together as a team and get us out of a slump.'

Benton forced another CPU slump in the final quarter, outscoring the Stormin' Pointers 29-16 and forcing a 79-79 tie at the end of regulation with a pair of buckets from Cooper and senior Hunter Semelroth. CPU started the extra session with seven of nine points, then Jirak sealed it from the line.

'Definitely, definitely,' Jirak said when asked if that pressure-packed position was one he relished. 'Especially when it's up against rivals like Benton Community in overtime. Definitely.'

CPU sophomore Grant Dirks added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

AT CENTER POINT

BENTON COMMUNITY (86): Spencer Touro 6 0-0 14, Adison Steinford 2 1-1 6, Tucker Schroeder 9 2-5 20, Tyler Eggert 2 1-1 6, Hunter Semelroth 4 3-4 11, Lathan Cooper 10 4-8 27, Patrick Michael 1 0-0 2, Totals 31 11-19 86.

CENTER POINT-URBANA (90): JoJo Frost 4 2-4 10, Alex Stephens 0 0-0 0, Dylan Harris 3 2-2 9, Mitch Sullivan 4 0-0 10, Marshall Zittergruen 2 2-2 6, Clayton Kramer 9 1-3 20, Mitchell McCauley 0 0-0 0, Jace Jirak 6 4-4 21, Grant Dirks 6 2-3 14, Totals 34 13-18 90.

Halftime — CPU 42, Benton 38. End regulation — Tied, 79-79. Three-point goals — Benton 7 (Cooper 3, Touro 2, Steinford, Eggert), CPU 9 (Jirak 5, Sullivan 2, Harris, Kramer. Total fouls — Benton 18, CPU 16. Fouled out —

Steinford.