The Astoria/VIT Rebels's recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Thursday after their sixth straight loss. They fell to Peoria Heights 46-40. While losing is never fun, Astoria/VIT can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 567th, while Peoria Heights is ranked 105th).
Astoria/VIT lost despite a true team effort on the offense, the best among them being TOMMI GORSUCH, who scored 16 points. Another player making a difference was HANNAH HORWEDEL, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Peoria Heights' success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Emily Dana led the charge by scoring 14 points along with three steals. Janessa Marie wallace was another key contributor, scoring nine points along with seven assists and six steals.
Astoria/VIT's defeat was their fourth straight at home, which bumped their record down to 4-17. As for Peoria Heights, they are on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven matches, which provided a nice bump to their 19-4 record this season.
Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Astoria/VIT will take on Macomb at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. As for Peoria Heights, they will be playing in front of their home fans against Illini Bluffs at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Illini Bluffs is coming into the match hot, having won their last four games.
