Although the regular and post season is over for the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield Junior Cardinal basketball team, Erik Healy, Joel Hortin, Preston Long, and Cord Tucker were able to lace up their shoes one more time Sunday afternoon, Feb. 24, when they took part in the 2019 Southern Illinois Premier Jr. High All-Star Classic at Rend Lake College. This event is set up to provide an opportunity for players to enjoy one more memory of playing junior high basketball on a big stage.
As the game began all NCOE players were wearing their white jerseys representing the home team. Ironically enough, their state championship competitors, the Panthers of Pinckneyville, were their teammates! When action started none of these players were on the court and the home team quickly faced a 12-0 deficit. With the score showing 12-4 it was time for the Junior Cardinals to get their chance on the court, and by the time their turn was over they had narrowed the deficit to just three points. This pattern would continue throughout the night until finally the home team hit a three pointer to claim their first lead of the game at 44-43. At this point, the home team would never trail again as they went on to collect the 55-49.
The Junior Cardinals provided their fair share of the offense as they contributed 19 of the teams 55 points. Erik Healy led the way with seven points, followed by five points each from Cord Tucker and Preston Long, while Joel Hortin added two points. Each Jr. Cardinal would also gather at least one rebound in the game.
