The Okawville Rockets competed in the 2022 Okawville Invitational Tournament the week of January 17-22, 2022.  The Okawville Booster Club puts on the Okawville Invitational every year as a way to raise money and host great basketball.  There were eight teams in this year’s tournament: Alton Marquette, Carlyle, Highland, Roxana, Gibault, Wesclin, Columbia, and your Okawville Rockets.  

The Rockets competed against Columbia in their first game of the tournament on Tuesday, January 18th.  Columbia led the Rockets 26-20 at the half.  Columbia came out strong in the second half to take the 59-29 win over Okawville.  Ethan Riechmann led the Rockets with an impressive 21 points.

Okawville would then play the Weslcin Warriors in the consolation semifinal round on Thursday, January 20th.  The Rockets once again struggled to get a lead and were behind the whole game.  Ethan Riechmann’s strong offense helped him lead the Rockets with 20 points.  Sadly, Okawville fell short to the Warriors 53-38.  

On the final night of the Okawville Invitational, the Rockets would battle against Roxana for seventh place.  Okawville was determined and driven to come out on top, and the scoreboard proved so.  The Rockets defeated the Shells 61-47 to claim seventh place in the Okawville Invitational Tournament.  Dillon Teter led the Rockets in scoring with 16 total.

The consolation final (fifth-place game) was played between Wesclin and Carlyle.  Carlyle defeated Wesclin 55-34 for the consolation championship.  Giabault and Highland competed for third place.  Gibault took the 61-46 win for third place.  The championship game consisted of Columbia and Alton Marquette.  Columbia came out on top to win the Okawville Invitational with a score of 37-33.