By Steve Dunford
Panoramic view of Sesser-Valier high school gym last season.
Over the last week, I have been asked by a few people to share my thoughts on the seedings of the Sesser-Valier and Eldorado Holiday Tournaments. They will be released in the next few days.
I am not a coach, so I do not get a ballot to seed the teams. I am going to go 1-16 in case they seed the teams all the way through. In the past, both tournaments list 9-16 as unseeded.
I love to hear your thoughts. I hope this spurs some conversation. Franklin County teams are in bold.
Goreville (#1 4-2) – The Blackcats gave A-J all they wanted in their own tournament banged up. They are in the middle of a two week break, which could not come at a better time for Coach Todd Tripp. I have watched Goreville a few times this season on film. I will get to see them live, if the Lord is willing on Saturday night against West Frankfort.
Sesser-Valier (#2 2-4) – You might ask why I have seeded the hosts so high? I am going to pull a “Mo” on you by answering my own question. They hung around with every team at DuQuoin in their losses. A blowout win over Joe Hosman’s Massac County Patriots as DQ and leaving Chester with a 15 point win on Friday upped their seed a few notches. It is no disgrace getting beat by Okawville by 20.
Woodlawn (#3 3-3) – The Cardinals had a very good weekend, beating Odin by 20 and Christopher by 10. They just keep reloading and winning.
Christopher (#4 4-1) – The Bearcats slid a few notches after falling to Woodlawn. They were projected as my top seed going into the game with the Cardinals. If Young and Curry are on fire, they can be cutting the nets down two years in a row.
Chester (#5 5-2) – Like Christopher, they slid down a couple of notches, after the Devils beat them on their own floor over the weekend. A fifteen point loss to Murphysboro would not have hurt them one bit.
Odin (#6 5-3) – Eagle Coach Tyler Mitchell is no stranger to the SVHT. The Eagles dropped two in a row to the top dogs of the Midland Trail, Webber Township and Woodlawn.
Cobden (#7 6-4) – If I ever need an attorney, I want Appleknoker coach Rhett Barke representing me. I love to watch him coach. They about knocked off Meridian over the weekend.
Steeleville (#8 4-4) – Owen Gross is one of the better players in the tournament. Whether they go left or right, the Warriors seem to always play four games.
Johnston City (#9 2-5) – This is a homecoming for Indian coach Scott Burzynski. The coach can point to his #54 jersey hanging in the commons. I have not watched them play, but it seems that JC gets better every time out. They might make some noise.
Thompsonville (#10 3-4) – A fifteen point loss at Pope County probably cost them a top 8. If the team shows up that played in the second half against Webber Township, the Tigers can spring an upset and move right.
New Athens (#11 4-4) – The Yellow Jackets are solid. Jackson Heintz will be one of the better post players in the tournament. They waltzed through the consolation bracket of the Christopher Tournament.
Century (#12 3-4) – They had a decent Vienna Classic. A loss Egyptian caused their stock to plummet.
Galatia (#13 2-6) – A lot of people comment to me about T’ville and their big front line. Galatia equally is as deep on the inside. They lost their backcourt due to graduation. The Bearcats picked up a nice win over Crab Orchard Friday night.
Marissa-Coulterville (#14 4-4) The Meteors have a couple wins against private schools in the Metro East that are in the startup phases of their program. Steeleville beat them by 30. This is the reason for the low seed.
Waltonville (#15 2-6) Their wins are against winless Z-R and Sandoval. It is going to be a tough year for the Spartans.
Zeigler-Royalton (#16 0-6) It is no secret the Tornadoes are rebuilding. They came an eyelash from knocking off Woodlawn last year.
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