By Jim Muir
The Benton Rangerettes closed out the regular season on a high note Saturday in the Rich Herrin Classic with a convincing 62-42 victory over Casey-Westfield.
The victory also provide a milestone for the first year coach Andy Sloan and the Rangerettes as they improved to 20-6 overall – the first Benton girl’s team to reach the 20-win plateau since 2004.
After falling behind 14-9 at the end of the first quarter the Rangerettes took control of the game early in the second frame behind the inside duo of Morgan Corn and Mikala Carney who combined for 20 first half points.
“Casey struggled against our post players and Morgan and Mikala did a great job finishing,” said Sloan. Another key point in the game was in the second quarter when Evelyn (Mendez) hit back-to-back three-pointers. After those two baskets Casey had to come out and guard us more on the perimeter and that made our inside game even stronger.”
Corn turned in a double-double with a game high 25 points to go along with 11 boards. Mikala Carney finished with 13 and was followed by Cali Carney with eight points, Mendez with six points and Sami Minor and Kaitlyn Biddle with two each.
Sloan gave high marks to his four seniors – Morgan Corn, Evelyn Mendez, Mikala Carney and Brittany Pedigo – who played their final home game at the East Gym last week and at RHG during the 9th Annual Rich Herrin Classic.
Four Benton seniors played their final regular season game Saturday in a 62-42 win over Casey-Westfield. Pictured during the first week of the season after winning the Marion Lady Wildcats Invitational are, l-r, Morgan Corn, Evelyn Mendez, Mikala Carney and Brittany Pedigo.
“What a great group of kids,” said Sloan. “I feel honored to have coached them during their final year. We have came so far and learned so much about each other, we are just now getting comfortable with each other about what we are trying to accomplish.”
The Rangerettes will head into post season play, the No. 2 seed in the loaded field of the Zeigler-Royalton Class 2A Regional. Benton will face the winner of the Sesser-Valier – West Frankfort game in a semi-final match up at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night.
State ranked Nashville is the top seed with S-V as the No. 3 seed, Zeigler-Royalton is the No. 4 seed, Du Quoin is the No. 5 seed and West Frankfort is the No. 6 seed.
The tourney kicks off tonight with S-V vs. West Frankfort and on Tuesday Z-R will face Du Quoin. Semi-final games will be Wednesday with the finals on Thursday night.
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