Pekin Holiday Tournament officials said on Thursday there was no exception in the finals for the 30 point, fourth quarter running clock rule, primarily because they’d never had to consider it. Lanphier forced that to happen with a 64-19 win over Normal West which wrapped up their fourth Pekin title in the last five years. Lanphier led 40-11 at the half and 60-17 after three quarters which triggered the mercy rule.
Yaakema Rose was named tournament MVP, thanks in part to his 20 point, three steal, three rebound performance in the finals. Rose was the first Lanphier MVP since Larry Austin Jr. won it in both 2012 and 2013. Cardell McGee Jr. flirted with a triple double, posting 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
