Redbirds take on State Ranked Eldorado…Z-R and S-V play again

Steve Dunford – franklincounty-news.com

Last night two of the teams we cover ended their season.  Hamilton County ended their season with a 60-46 loss to the hosts at the Flora Class 2A regional.

Thompsonville ended their campaign at 7-18 as they fell to the Woodlawn Cardinals 50-38, at the Wayne City Class  1A regional. It was a  valiant effort by the Tigers as they were without the services of one starter and their sixth man because of illness.

West Frankfort is still on the road to Peoria as they improved to 10-16 with a 68-63 win over the hot shooting Johnston City Indians at the Eldorado Class 2A regional.

Their reward is getting to play the hosts tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Duff Kingston Gym.  The Eagles come into the game 26-3 and ranked sixth in the latest Associated Press Class 2A Statewide Poll.

During the Midwinter Classic the Redbirds gave the Eldorado everything they wanted, losing 48-44.  WF turned in one of the gutsiest performances I ever witnessed on a basketball floor.

It will take that type of performance or even a little more for the Redbirds to pull the upset tonight.  Eldorado is not flashy or pretty at anything they do, they just win and win a lot.

Game time is 7:00 p.m.   If you can not make it catch Rick Westemeyer and Michael Marlo on WFRX 95.5 The Fan.

Two county rivals, Zeigler-Royalton (3-20) and Sesser-Valier (16-13) that are thirteen miles apart from each other will head down to Williamson County to play in the Crab Orchard Class 1A regional.

In my book, the Devils are coming into the regional as the hands on favorites.  They are peaking at the right time.  They picked up two big road wins last week against Christopher and Chester.

The Tornadoes are playing well.  They picked up a recent victory against a good Webber Township ball club, who notched their 16th win last night.  They have recently gave Goreville and Chrstopher all they wanted.

S-V comes in as a heavy favorite blowing out the Tornadoes twice.  Z-R will not roll over and play dead.  If they pulled the upset it would be the shot heard around the state, however it should be a good hard fought ball game.

Game time is 6:00.  Tonight’s game will be broadcast on WMIX-FM 94.1 with Danny Czerwinski and Wes Choate.

Benton is still in the regular season.  They go on the road to face the Salem Wildcats tonight as it is their last tune up before the Class 3A regionals start next week.