Devils take third in their own holiday tournament

by Steve Dunford

Panoramic view of a full house at Sesser-Valier in a regular season game against Christopher. There were twenty-six games in four days and sixteen teams in Southern Illinois in the field. Four Franklin County Schools took the floor in the tournament this week; Chirstopher, Zeigler -Royalton and Thompsonville took the floor there as well as the hosts.

The Sesser-Valier Red Devils take home the third place trophy by defeating the top seeded Woodlawn Cardinals to keep some third place hardware in the commons.

Both teams went to the locker room tied up at 24.  Joshua Gunter came off the bench in the second quarter to have all of his seven points.

S-V Outscored Woodlawn 14-8 in the third quarter to take a 38-32 lead.  It looks like Lukas Gunter, who WMIX broadcaster Danny Czerwinski called the Red Baron all week knocked five of six free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.   He was chosen to the all tournament team.  He as well as Preston Launius led the Devils with 12 each.  Tyler Winchester added eight as well.  Winchester was the second Red Devil to make the all tournament team.

Blake Wollerman led all scorers on the afternoon with 13 points.  Post player Jordan Hoppa stepped behind the arc and hit four bombs on the afternoon and added 12 for the Cardinals.

This is what Sesser-Valier coach Shane Garner had to say about the week in general:

“We had a great week. We obviously didn’t get to play in the championship game like we hoped, but finished the tournament with a win and 3 wins overall is a good week. Looking forward to working on some things that were exposed this week and attacking the second half of the season.”

Sesser-Valier improves to 5-7 on the year.  They have two BDC west games coming up with Vienna at Home Tuesday and Trico on the road Saturday.  Unfortuately, I have to say weather permitting on Saturday.

I watched bits and peices of a couple of Vienna’s games from Eldorado.  My thoughts are they are a lot like the Red Devils.  There is not one superstar.  They have good team coherence and go about ten deep.

The Cardinals fall to 6-7 on the year and has Sandoval at home in a Midland Trial conference game Tuesday night. They travel to Altamont on Saturday.  Going to the 217 that one is definitely weather permitting.

I would like to thank the staff of Sesser-Valier HS for posting the copies of the score book.  Athletic Director Chip Basso gives me a lot of information.

I have known Superintendent Jason Henry all my life he is always gracious with his time.

Principal Natalie Page was very gracious with her time.  I praise the Lord often that she is in remission.  You have been an inspiration to me.

Thank you Coach Garner for your time.  You have always been gracious every time I ask you.  I have mentioned this on my blog, but I haven’t since I started writing for franklincounty-news. com, but I appreciate your unashamedly stand for the Lord.

Spending most of my adult life there, always a part of Pitchfork Nation.

SCORE BY QUARTERS:  

WOODLAWN:            (47)  13  11   8  15-47

SESSER-VALIER:      (51)  11  13  14 13-51 

BOX SCORE:  

WOODLAWN (6-7)  Wollerman 2 3 0-0 13, Hoppa, 0-4 0-0 12, Ashby 4 0 1-3 9, McKay 1 1 0-0 5, Isaac 2 0 0-0 4                   Bennett 2 0 0-0 4

SESSER-VALIER (5-7)  L. Gunter 3 0 6-7 12 Launius 4 1 1-2 12,  Winchester 2 1 1-2 8, J. Gunter 1 1 2-2 7, Baxter 1 0 2-6 4,      Lance 2 0 0-0 4; Farmer 1 0 0-0 2,  Boles 1 0 0-0 2,                     Page 0 0 0-0 0