Providence Athletes Fall Short in 3-Point Shootout

Even though Providence Catholic lost in the first round of this year's boys basketball playoffs, the Celtics were well represented in Peoria this weekend for the state finals. 

Senior Colin Uthe and junior Brian Oddo caught a hot streak in the playoffs, continuously advancing in the 3-point shootout and making the final 32 of Class 4A boys athletes. 

See the full results of the state 3-point shootout here.

Only four of the 32 boys advanced to the finals, and neither Oddo nor Uthe hit enough of the 15 shots to make it through. Oddo knocked down 7/15 shots in the first group, and Uthe hit eight shots. The high mark was 12 shots, which two players hit, and other advancers hit 11 and 10, which needed a shoot-off  to determine the final player in the finals.

Spencer Mahoney of Lyons Township won the Class 4A shootout, but it was Jace Anderson, of Class 2A Rock Falls, who was named King of the Hill when winners of each of the four classes faced off.

Providence Catholic was one of just five schools to send two players to the state shootout, joining Foreman, Hononegah, Naperville North and Provisio West.

Before every game, eight players would participate in a 3-point shootout, and only half would advance. As each round progressed, fewer players would advance until it was down to the final 32 in the state. Even if a team lost, players could have the chance to extend their season by winning the shootout.

Providence lost to Eisenhower, 66-64, in the first round, but all four of its players advanced in the 3-point contest. The four Celtics, which also included Blaise Houston and Joe Batis, also advanced through the next game, a regional semifinal between Crete-Monee and Eisenhower. In the regional championship, Batis fell off but the other three Celtics advanced.

In the sectional round, Oddo nailed 13/15 shots and Uthe also advanced as the two continued to roll to the state shootout. Uthe was perhaps the best shooter in the area, hitting 48 percent of his 3-pointers (56/128) this year. Oddo was a 40 percent shooter on the season.