Macoupin County preview: How this junior became a key guard for Staunton boys basketball

Posted by Admin January 20, 2025 Basketball

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Bill Welt

Springfield State Journal- Register

It’s all a matter of effort and the Staunton boys basketball team is reaping the rewards.

The Bulldogs won their first Carlinville Holiday Tournament title since 2009 and now have a chance to secure their first Macoupin County Tournament crown since 2012 as the No. 1 seed.

Staunton has the bye and meets either No. 4 North Mac or No. 5 Bunker Hill in the semifinals on Wednesday at 6 p.m., also hosted by Carlinville. The championship game is Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs (14-4) have already nearly matched last year’s 16-win total with losses only coming against Class 3A schools Centralia, Rochester, Jerseyville and Bethalto Civic Memorial — all wins generated with just one senior, Ethan Sharp, in the starting lineup.

In their previous trip to Carlinville, sophomore guard Isiah Laux and junior guard Bryce Coalson averaged 14.3 and 13.7 points, respectively, over the three-game stretch. They combined for a staggering 21 3s in those games and both were named to the all-tournament team.

“He can really shoot the ball,” Coalson of Laux said following a 52-47 win over Hardin Calhoun at the Big House. “It’s great whenever we have so many guys on the floor who can shoot it, it’s tough for teams to guard us and we really like to get down and guard, too.”

It may be hard to believe, but Coalson said he hardly saw any time on the varsity floor last season. Coach Ty Laux, Isiah’s dad, said Coalson put up nearly 30,000 shots over the offseason and added 20 pounds of muscle.

That’s been the recipe for his success.

“Every time I have the ball in my hands, I’m confident that I’m going to score the ball,” Coalson said. “It’s just a great moment for us (to win the tournament).”

Other teammates stood out along the way. Sophomore Jeremiah Graham poured in three 3s for a game-high 19 points in a 56-42 win over Carlinville in the semifinals, while junior Aaron Bodner did the same in a 70-27 win over Gillespie in the quarterfinals.

“No one out there is like, ‘I’m going to go get my points,’” Coalson said. “Everyone wants to win the basketball game, that’s the No. 1 priority. I think that’s why we’re so good this year.”

Added Isiah, “None of us are selfish, we’re always sharing the ball.”

How to watch

The Macoupin County boys and girls tournament will take place in Carlinville. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students at the door. Games can also be streamed online via subscription on the NFHS Network web site.

Tournament history

This is the 106^th Macoupin County Tournament and it is one of the oldest continuous high school sports events throughout the state, according to local historian Tom Emery. The first tournament was held in 1919. It later handed out the first girls title in 1980. By comparison, the Winchester Invitational Tournament gave out its first trophy in 1923 while the Waverly Holiday Tournament started in 1951. The Sangamon County Tournament recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary, according to information supplied by Phil Shadid. Elsewhere, the 113th McLean County Tournament began over the weekend after its debut in 1911.

Past boys champions

Gillespie has raked in the most titles with 17, followed by Piasa Southwestern (17), Staunton (15), Mount Olive (12) and Carlinville (9). Southwestern has won the previous three titles.

Past girls champions

Piasa Southwestern touts the most titles with 17, followed by Carlinville (10), Gillespie (8), Staunton (5) and Bunker Hill (2). Gillespie won last year’s title following back-to-back Staunton titles.