by Steve Dunford
I asked Benton Ranger Basketball Coach Ron Winemiller about what kind of Summer his team had on the hardwood,
He said they played about forty games. The Rangers faced Goreville, an opponent in the Goreville Invitational in December, they also faced Vandalia, Greenville, Paris and Teutopolis. They faced Missouri schools of Dexter, Benton, and Cape Central.
On one trip to the 217, the Rangers were commended for helping a local farmer load a water tank in the back of a farmer’s truck. The website shared a link of the story from the Benton Gazette. Below is the link.
Gone will be Timmy Henson, Austin Wills, and Derek Oxford, Henson and Oxford were for year starters, counting Timmy’s freshman year at Thompsonville. However the five of Gehrig Wynn, Cade Thomas, Hamilton Page, Parker Williams, and Blaine Pankey has played together since Junior High. I am unsure of his other Seniors, but Coach Winemiller said his seniors will have to log the bulk on the minutes this year, but he was impressed with the growth of the underclassmen.
He said Mt. Carmel, Effingham St. Anthony and T-Town were the best three Illinois teams the Rangers played this summer.
I did not talk about the Southern Illinois to River race, as I talked about the GEC race with Pete Gordon. I would have the Rangers as an upper division team.
With Blake Dure back, and point guard Will Gibbs transferring from Carrier Mills, I think Harrisburg will be the team to beat in the conference. Since the Bulldogs will be 2A this year, I would not be one but surprised if Randy Smithpeters makes another trip to Peoria with this team.
Daryl Murphy just reloads every year down at Murphysboro. Joe Hosman was singing the blues down at Massac County, and ended up 6-4 in the conference, and a .500 record on the season.
Herrin will have its third coach in third years in Benton Native Sayler Shurtz. They will be pretty young, with a good nucleus. I can guarantee you this, West Frankfort will win more than one game in the SIRR Ohio this year. The Redbrids have a very strong junior class coming in. If I was an opposing team, I would not want to go to Max Morris Gym this season. There will be a lot of upsets there.
In four months, the Rangers will be tipping it up at the Goreville Tournament. It does not seem like in four weeks, teams will be under the Friday Night Lights.
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