PLANO – The Mendota junior varsity boys’ basketball team finished in eighth place in the 16-team Plano Junior Varsity Christmas Classic.

The Trojans, who were seeded third, opened the tournament with a 42-27 victory over Aurora Central Catholic on Dec. 27. Dane Doyle paced the winners with 22 points, followed by Alex Beetz with nine tallies.

Mendota dropped a 45-38 decision to Plano in the second round on Dec. 28. The Trojans held a 26-24 halftime lead, but were outscored, 13-3, in the third period. Keegan Beetz topped Mendota scorers with 11 points and Doyle added 10.

Morris posted a 65-64 triumph over the Trojans in a double-overtime affair on Dec. 29. Mendota was on top 32-24 at intermission, but another shaky third period allowed Morris to climb back in the game. Cold shooting at the free throw line was a big factor in the Trojans’ loss as they connected on just 13 of 31 charity tosses. Doyle (18) led four Mendota players in double figures. Alex Beetz (13), Keegan Beetz (10) and Johan Cortez (10) also hit the double-digit mark.

Mendota closed out the tournament with a 44-42 setback to Yorkville Christian in the seventh-place game on Dec. 30. Doyle poured in 25 points and Cortez chipped in with nine. The Trojans were three of 11 from the stripe.

“We lost three games by a combined nine points,” said Mendota coach Evan Carroll. “It was very frustrating. Missed free throws did us in.”

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Burlington Central defeated Plano, 60-44, to win the JV championship.

Mendota’s Doyle was selected to the all-tournament team.