Bloomington's Brandon Holtz finished third
in the Class AA three-point showdown.
Bloomington's Brandon Holtz finished third
in the Class AA three-point showdown.
From way downtown, bang
--4-13-05--
By Frank Rusnak
With a combination of
the splash of the net after his shot, grit of his teeth on defense and hours of
hard work put into his game, Bloomington guard Brandon Holtz is the ideal high
school player. Or, so says his coach Ron Rose.
"He's a high school coach's dream," Rose said. "He's the first one to practice and the last to leave; nobody works harder. He has great balance, quick release and great bounce, which is what you notice on all great shooters. You're almost surprised when it doesn't go in."
"I'm going to go at you on the basketball court." Brandon Holtz |
A four-year varsity player, Holtz established himself as one of the state's finest shooters.
Advancing to Peoria to shoot in the finals, he finished third in the state's Class AA three-point showdown. Holtz's performance at the Peoria Civic Center -- home court of Bradley -- was only the start of what he'll be displaying there for four years to come when he competes in the Missouri Valley Conference against Bradley's rival, Illinois State.
"I know I can shoot it and I work hard," Holtz said. "I'm going to go at you on the basketball court. It's a great opportunity at Illinois State. Their three top guards are all leaving."
ISU's three-guard starting lineup of seniors Vince Greene, Trey Guidry and Gregg Alexander are all graduating, leaving an opening for Holtz and Bloomington teammate Dodie Dunson to make their presence felt.
Longtime teammates, Holtz and Dunson, both will take their backcourt act to ISU in hopes of having more postseason success than what they had with Bloomington.
This season ended just as last, with a disappointing bow out early in the playoffs. The Purple Raiders began the last two years with high expectations, a bevy of talent and all the materials to make a deep run in the playoffs. Despite returning 12 of their 14 players this season, it wasn't meant to be.
With his backcourt buddy, Dunson, there to assist him, Holtz ended the season averaging 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.
"He always competes and he's ready for the ball all the time," Dunson said.
Before they take off to ISU, Holtz and Dunson will take
part in the June 25 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) All-Star Game
at nearby Illinois Wesleyan's Shirk Center.
|
Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game |
|
| Class AA North All-Stars | Class AA South All-Stars |
| Jerel McNeal - Hillcrest Tony Freeman - St. Joseph Mike Kolze - Lake Zurich Maurice Acker - Hillcrest Bobby Frasor - Brother Rice Julian Wright - Homewood-Flossmoor DeAndre Thomas - Chicago Westinghouse Bryan Mullins - Downers Grove South Tyrone Kent - Chicago Crane Phillip Perry - Proviso East Sead Odzic - Niles West Matt Rogers - Rochelle Adam Gregoriau - Brother Rice Adam Powers - Lyons Township Mike Rose - Neuqua Valley Mason Stewart - Waubonsie Valley Tyrone Evans (alternate) - East Aurora Ryan Sharp (alternate) - Plainfield Central Robert Strezmp (alternate) - Oak Park Will Meister (alternate) - Conant Brandon Ewing (alternate) - Julian Eric Palm (alternate) - Harlem Grant Surpurenant (alternate) - Palatine Head Coach: John Quinn, Fenwick |
Jarmar Smith - Peoria Richwoods Chris Kellerman - O'Fallon Josh Tabb - Carbondale Ray Nelson - Carbondale DeAndre Miranda - Peoria Central Brandon Holtz - Bloomington Dodie Dunson - Bloomington Lorenzo Taylor - Alton Nick Arth - Edwardsville Drew Gensler - Mt. Zion Jason Kvitle - Quincy Matt Bone - Collinsville Teddy Toliver - Springfield Southeast Jordan Morris - Pekin Chris Drennan - Normal Community Kyle Myers (alternate) - Pekin Michael DeWalt (alternate) - Carbondale Jon Harmsen (alternate) - Lincoln Pete Smidt (alternate) - Morton Matt Reynolds (alternate) - Limestone Head Coach: Steve Schupp, Morton |
| Class A North All-Stars | Class A South All-Stars |
| A.J. Eeten - Eureka Nate Minnoy - Hales Franciscan Mike Robinson - Hales Franciscan Jeff Wilson - Hales Franciscan Jeff Robinson - Lisle David Phillips - Chicago Hope Lance Young - Rock Island Alleman Dan Kieres - Northridge Ryan Burks - Midwest Central Jeramiah Box - Rockford Christian Life Ryan Martz - Lanark Skyler McKinley - Carthage Eric Klingenberg - Richmond-Burton Greg Sieple - Farmington Bob McCormick - Francis Parker Jeff Wethersby - St. Anne Chris Smock - Ridgeview Tom Schneiger (alternate) - Lexington Preston Jones (alternate) - Bureau Valley Kyle Nelson (alternate) - Delavan Felix Thurman (alternate) - St. Anne Head Coach: Dan Sullivan, Princeville |
Shaun Emerick - Quincy Notre Dame Mark Gillingham - Carrollton Kevin Lisch - Belleville Althoff Sean Knox - North Greene Derek Sloan - Galatia Adam Eggemeyer - Steeleville Ray Kissing - Crab Orchard Drew McCool - Moroa Forsyth Mason Woodside - Pinckneyville Ken Detmer - Breese Central Brent Ruch - Blue Ridge Ryan Lake - Breese Mater Dei Kyle Oldham - Gallatin County Coy Bainter - Barry Chas McFarland - Lovington Tony Martin (alternate) - Nokomis Matt Koger (alternate) - Riverton Joe Starnes (alternate) - Liberty Brent Owen (alternate) - Chrisman Joey Ullery (alternate) - Webber Township Ryan Patton (alternate) - West Frankfort Lucas Stanford (alternate) - Flora Mitch Ade (alternate) - Pana Head Coach: Steve Kimbro, Nokomis |
| Rosters courtesy of www.ibca-il.org | |
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