EDWARDSVILLE – History wasn’t on Belleville East’s side Thursday night, coming into a colossal Southwestern Conference game on the road at Edwardsville.
Taking a long look back at the series, one date stands out in time, February 26, 2007.
The Tigers narrowly beat Belleville East 35-34 in the IHSA Class AA Jacksonville (Illinois College) Super-Sectional.
Why is that important?
Since then, the Lancers have struggled against Edwardsville, owning a 2-43 record against the Tigers heading into Thursday’s game.
But something happened that hadn’t happened in over 20 years. The Lancers won their second straight road game against the Tigers, 64-39, to improve to 10-0 on the season.
It’s their best start since that previously mentioned 2006-07 season, where East opened up to a 12-0 record, finishing 27-4.
“It means a lot. Our girls are out here. They’ve been working hard in the offseason. I’m very proud of where they’re at,” Belleville East head coach Shardae King said. “We’re just taking it one game at a time. It’s good to be in this position right now.”
That position is also 4-0 in the Southwestern Conference.
Edwardsville falls to 4-5 on the season and 2-2 in the SWC.
East started the game fast, an 8-0 run thanks to a couple of baskets apiece from Ramiyah Young and Hailey Gray. Edwardsville called a timeout with 4:37 left, but Gray nailed a three-pointer right after to increase the lead to 11-0.
The Tigers rallied with an 8-2 run to close the gap, but still trailed 17-8 after the first quarter.
Edwardsville started the second with a basket and one from Mia Semith, and then a basket from Mady Madison to close the gap to four points at 17-13.
That’s as close as it ever got as East pulled away every time it seemed like the Tigers were gaining an inch of momentum.
Edwardsville head coach Kaylie Gudka knew that those opening minutes of the game hurt a lot.
“Those three or four minutes, we have to figure out a way, and that comes within, it comes from us, it comes from focus, it comes with determination to find a way to start off strong,” Gudka said.
East grew the lead to 37-20 at halftime and 60-31 after three quarters.
Gray and Young scored East’s first 17 points of the game and ended as the game’s top two scorers. Young led with 18 points while Gray added 15.
For Edwardsville, Semith and Kennedy Gieseking each scored 12.
Both teams will be back in action this weekend at the Visitation Christmas Tournament.
Number 13-seeded Edwardsville takes on fourth-seeded Cardinal Ritter (4-1) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 20. Belleville East, awarded a three-seed, plays later that day at 4 p.m. against 15th-seeded Parkway West (1-5).
