Oiler Maroon sweeps Bethalto Rookie behind Henry Steiner’s steady shooting

East Alton-Wood River’s Oiler Maroon team posted a 2-0 victory over Bethalto Rookie on Thursday in Cottage Hills, winning the two-round shotgun shooting competition by scores of 54-52 and 71-56.

Henry Steiner turned in the top individual performance for the Oilers, scoring 18 in the opening round and adding another 18 in round two. His consistency helped set the tone as Oiler Maroon edged Bethalto Rookie in a tight first round, then created more separation in the second.

The opening round was the closer of the two, with the Oilers finishing just two targets ahead at 54-52. That narrow margin made each score matter, and Oiler Maroon did enough to hold off Bethalto Rookie in the late stages of the round. The second round unfolded differently, as the Oilers found a stronger rhythm and pulled away for a 71-56 decision to secure the sweep.

The competition was held under clear skies in Cottage Hills, with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s into the high 70s and wind reported at 16 mph. Those conditions can add another variable in shotgun events, making Steiner’s even production across both rounds a notable piece of the result.

With the win, Oiler Maroon finished the day with a strong overall showing against Bethalto Rookie, combining a narrow first-round result with a more decisive finish in the second. Steiner’s 36 total points across the two rounds led the way for East Alton-Wood River in one of the team’s sharper performances on the young season.