PLANO – The Mendota Trojans claimed one victory in four games and finished in 14^th place in the Plano Christmas Classic.

Chicago Longwood 67, Mendota 48

The Trojans opened the tournament with a 67-48 setback to Chicago Longwood on Dec. 27.

Mendota jumped out to a 13-10 lead after the opening stanza and maintained that three-point cushion (29-26) at the break. But the Trojans’ offense dropped off in the second half while Longwood picked up the pace with 41 second-half points.

The Trojans had a balanced scoring attack, led by Krew Bond with 15 points. Rafael Romero was next with 12 points and Isaac Guzman chipped in with 10 tallies. Romero topped the team with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Mendota connected on 57 percent of its field goal attempts while Longwood converted 47 percent of its offerings, but the Panthers fired up 16 more shots than the Trojans.

Plano 64, Mendota 56

Mendota led at halftime for the second straight game, but couldn’t hold the advantage in the second half as Plano rallied for a 64-56 victory over the Trojans on Dec. 28.

The two teams were tied at 10-all after the first quarter and then Mendota outscored Plano, 15-13, in the second period to take a two-point halftime lead. But the Reapers exploded for 23 third-quarter points compared to 19 for Mendota and Plano outscored the Trojans by six in the final frame to pull out the win.

Bond dropped in 25 points and Romero added 19 to lead the Trojan offense. Romero led with 11 rebounds and three steals, while he and Bond each dished out three assists.

The Trojans shot 50 percent from the floor compared to 46 percent for the Reapers. Mendota attempted 48 shots and Plano had 57 looks at the basket.

Mendota 49, Newark 46

The Trojans broke into the win column with a 49-46 verdict over Newark on Dec. 29.

The game was tight from start to finish, with Mendota leading by two (16-14) after one quarter and holding the same two-point margin as the teams headed to the locker room. The Trojans stretched the count to six after three quarters (40-34) before Newark made a slight comeback in the fourth frame.

Bond had another huge offensive game for Mendota as he poured in 25 points on 11 of 15 shooting. He also led with three steals and was second on the squad with seven rebounds. Romero netted 11 points and had 13 rebounds, while Guzman handed out four assists.

Mendota continued its hot shooting in the tournament as it drained 49 percent of its field goal attempts. Conversely, Newark made a chilly 28 percent of its shots.

Hinckley-Big Rock 58, Mendota 37

Mendota (3-10) concluded tournament play with a 58-37 loss to Hinckley-Big Rock in the 13^th-place game on Dec. 20.

The Trojans dug themselves a nine-point hole (22-13) after the first quarter and trailed 29-21 at the half. A six-point third-quarter put to rest any plans for a fourth-quarter comeback by Mendota.

Bond had nine points and Ted Landgraf contributed eight, while Landgraf and Izaiah Nanez topped the rebounding chart with three apiece. Bond also had four assists and two steals.

Each team had 37 field goals attempts with the Royals making four more than Mendota. Eight of H-BR’s 20 field goals were from three-point land.

Final day scores

Championship – Burlington Central 56, Peoria Notre Dame 54; 3^rd place – Yorkville Christian 69, Northridge Prep 41; 5^th place – Ottawa 58, Chicago Longwood 56; 7^th place – Lisle 2, Kaneland 0 (forfeit); 9^th place – Plano 59, Morris 56; 11^th place – Streator 48, Coal City 34; 15^th place – Newark 52, Sandwich 41

All-Tournament Team

MVP – Gavin Sarvis, Burlington Central. Mason Accidentale, Plano; James Spingola, Northridge Prep; Cooper Koch, Peoria Notre Dame; Carson Seyller, Burlington Central; Andrew Schamowski, Burlington Central; Zac Schmidt, Burlington Central; Tyler Burrows, Yorkville Christian; Jaden Schutt, Yorkville Christian; Krew Bond, Mendota; Luke Cushing, Ottawa; Terrance Jones, Chicago Longwood.