A lot at steak: Nine-seeded Tigers steal postseason run from one-seeded Abingdon-Avon

By Addy D., Cora E., and Ella D.

Illini Bluffs Tigers, seeded at nine, stole a postseason run from one-seeded Abingdon-Avon, in a nail-biting 45-43 win in Galva on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

This upset was especially surprising given the large disparity in their season records: Illini Bluffs ended the regular season 12-16, while Abingdon-Avon ended 28-3, with a notable fact being that the Tigers had lost to the Tornadoes by 17 earlier in the season.

The boys approached the game with a fighting spirit, unsure of what the outcome would look like, but hopeful that their dedication would secure them a win, and it did.

 “Going to this game as a team in general was we really have nothing to lose,” senior Eric Pincock said. “I mean, not everybody’s minds were like, ‘we’re gonna win this no matter what.’ It was more just like, ‘hey, they’re the one seed. We’re 12 and 16. Why not throw a punch and see what we can do and try giving one last fight?’”

The Tigers kept up that fight throughout the entirety of the game, maintaining a lead for the majority of it, with the Tornadoes surpassing their score only occasionally, and with no more than four points.

“We came up winning at halftime, and they threw a punch at us in the third quarter, and we sat down, grew up, and realized we can still be in this no matter what, and we just kept fighting, even when they went on little runs, that we just fought back and didn’t give up,” Pincock said.

That drive and determination is just what secured their victory, though the boys had a specific motivation to win.

“Trey said we get Alexander’s Steakhouse if we win, so… just listen to the coaches and follow guidance,” junior Will Emhoff said.

The boys were not solely motivated by the possibility of steak, though, they were excited to play and they had the most important thing: hope. 

“The locker room believed we could win that game, and the kids played with a lot of heart. We just have to do it again [tonight],” said Coach Waters.

The boys play their regional championship tonight, and are hoping to secure another win.

“We’re going to be bumping all the way back home with the regional title again,” Emhoff said.