Ryan Roddy
Section618.com

CENTRALIA — The 78th Centralia Holiday Tournament is in the books with the championship going home with a first time participant, the Vashon Wolverines from St. Louis. Vashon had no problems with the Evanston Wildkits in the championship game 61-38. Three Wolverines scored in double figures, led by second team all-tournament selection Jayden Nicholson. The St. Louis powerhouse improves to 12-0 on the season while Evanston is now 9-3 after the loss.

The home team, Centralia Orphans, went 3-1 in the tournament and captured third place with a 68-56 win over South Seven rival Mt. Vernon. Sophomore guard Cruz Harlan led the Orphans past the Rams with a career high 28 points. Harlan was selected to the second team all-tournament, while junior Koby Wilmoth made the first team. Wilmoth chipped in 15 points in the win over Mt. Vernon. Rams senior NJ Benson scored 29 points in the loss and was outstanding all tournament long. Benson wowed the crowd during the three-day tournament with dunk after dunk, while also hitting a number of 3-point buckets as well on his was to earning Tournament MVP honors.

Mundelein Carmel won the Consolation trophy edging Glenwood 47-45, and Confluence Prep won the 5th place trophy beating Muhlenberg County, Kentucky 79-66.

The best story of the tournament was Carmel coaches presenting a check to the Muhlenberg coaches for nearly $9,000 to help those hit by the tornados in Kentucky a few weeks ago. Carmel Catholic from suburban Chicago began a fund-raising effort to help those in need in that area after learning its team would face Muhlenberg in the first round.

As for the Orphans, they’ll host Breese Central Wednesday night at Trout Arena.