Basketball Recap: Bureau Valley Takes a Loss

Bureau Valley and Alleman squared off in some playoff action on Tuesday, but Bureau Valley had to settle for second. They were outmatched by the Alleman Pioneers and fell 54-26. While losing is never fun, the Storm can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 416th, while the Pioneers are ranked 80th).

Despite the defeat, Bureau Valley saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Libby Endress posted 12 points. That was a full 46.2% of Bureau Valley's points, marking the third time in a row Endress has put up more than a third of the team's points. Izabella Birkey was another key player, putting up seven points and six rebounds.

Bureau Valley's loss dropped their record down to 13-20. As for Alleman, they are on a roll lately: they've won nine of their last 12 matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 23-9 record this season.

Bureau Valley does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Alleman, they are taking a road trip to square off against Princeton at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Princeton will roll in looking for their fifth straight win, something Alleman surely won't give up without a fight.