Benton tops Byron in Illinois Class 2A boys basketball semifinals

Isaac Billington scores game-high 18 points in victory

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – The Benton Rangers are headed to the Illinois boys basketball championship game for the first time in school history. 

Benton, which has a pair of third-place finishes (1933, 1992), defeated Byron 50-42 on Thursday night at State Farm Center to secure its spot in Saturday's championship game. 

"I told these guys way back before we played McLeansboro in the Regional that it takes some luck," Benton coach Ron Winemiller said. "Just look at the last state rankings and there's a lot of teams above us and below us that aren't here. You have to get lucky. It's about matchups and it's about being able to play people at the right time. It's about the IHSA giving you the sectional the year you just happen to be playing in it – I man that's a big deal and that's luck. 

"We've worked hard but it takes a little bit of luck along the way. I'm happy for these guys because I know how hard they've worked. They've been very vocal about this being their goal all year and now they are going to get to see it come to fruition."   

Benton (32-3) advances to face Phillips Academy (24-9) in the Illinois Class 2A championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday. 

Illinois (IHSA) boys basketball state championships live updates: Day 1 scores, results, stories (3/7/2024)

Senior guard Isaac Billington scored a game-high 18 points and junior forward Docker Tedeschi added 14 points, 10 rebounds, six blocked shots and four assists for Benton.

Senior guard Carson Buser led Byron (30-3) with 16 points, while senior guard Ryan Tucker added 10 points and senior forward Jack Hiveley grabbed 10 rebounds.

Phillips holds off Williamsville to win Illinois Class 2A boys basketball semifinal

Benton led 19-14 after one quarter and 30-23 at halftime but Byron outscored the Rangers in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 36-35 going into the final eight minutes. 

The Tigers were able to take a one-point lead with 7:19 remaining before Benton regained the advantage.

Benton led for 30 minutes 41 seconds, compared to 50 seconds for Byron. 

Illinois 2A semifinals: Benton - Byron

Photos by Nate Latsch

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- Nate Latsch | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveIL