By Evan Wixom
IV Leader Sports Editor, Feb. 17, 2011
On Feb. 8, the IVCC Men’s basketball team was able to do
something that no other Arrowhead Conference team had been able to do in 13
years.
They defeated Highland at Highland.
The Eagles knocked off Highland 83-81 in Freeport, marking
Highland’s first defeat in the Arrowhead on their home court since 1998.
Putnam County product and IV sophomore Kevin Fay had 28 points in the contest,
including going 7 for 8 from behind the arc in the historic win for IVCC, which
improved its record on the season to 15-10 overall, including a 4-3 mark in the
Arrowhead.
Overall, the Eagles have gone 4-2 since the last publication
date, including a pair of heartbreaking losses on the road, 66-64 to Sauk
Valley, and 66-62 to Carl Sandburg. IV countered those losses with four quality
wins, 77-61 over Black Hawk College-East at home, a dominating 101-52
performance over Columbia College, 84-70 over Olive Harvey, and of course the
historic decision over Highland.
IVCC has shown incredible depth this season, as three players
are averaging over 10 points per game, and an additional four are averaging over
six points per game. Leading the way is Fay with 14.7 ppg, followed by Brian
Byrd with 11.2 ppg, Fieldcrest grad and IV freshman Nate Ropp also chips in with
double-figures, at 10.1 ppg. Byrd also leads the team in rebounding and blocks
per game, with 8.6 and 0.9, respectively. Antwoin Conerly is second with 6.6 rpg,
while also leading the team in assists with 4.1 and second on the team with 1.6
steals per game.
The Eagles wrap up the regular season at home on Saturday,
Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. against Black Hawk-Moline.
Postseason play opens for IVCC on Thursday, Feb. 24 in
Regional Quarterfinal play. The Eagles opponent is TBA.