HartEm Stags going to State

[February 03, 2026]   The Hartsburg-Emden Stags defeated Pontiac St. Mary’s 36-33 to win the Class 8-1A Sectional Championship on Monday night in Hartsburg.

Owen Ferguson led the Stags with 20 points.

The Stags trailed for three quarters of the game and then staged an amazing comeback in the fourth quarter. 

Sectional Champs! The Hartsburg-Emden Stags. Photo courtesy of Ashley Aper

The Stags were down 7-4 in the first quarter.

Hartsburg-Emden trailed 22-15 at the half.

By the end of the third quarter Pontiac St. Mary’s was still in the lead 24-20.

Owen Ferguson poured in 10 points in the fourth quarter to lead the comeback. Ryan Wrage had five points in the quarter and William Boerma scored a bucket as the Stags handed St. Mary’s just their second loss of the season.

Ferguson and Wrage hit some key free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the 36-33 win.

With the win the Hartsburg-Emden Stags punched their ticket to the state tournament.

Hartsburg-Emden (16-7) will play Peoria Limestone Walters (21-5) on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. in the IESA 8th Grade Class 1A State Tournament.

Warrensburg-Latham High School is hosting the state tournament.

Congratulations, Stags!

Hartsburg-Emden 36
Ferguson 20
Whitted 6
Wrage 6
Boerma 4

Pontiac St. Mary’s 33
Collins 12
Mennenga 11
Daily 5
Pierce 3
Lawrence 2

 

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