Steve Dunford- Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron
Sesser-Valier and Benton will both be playing two games today. The Red-Devils play Carmi-White County at 12:30 this afternoon and DuQuoin at 7:30 tonight in the DuQuoin Tip-Off classic. The Rangers will be playing Johnston City at 2:00 p.m. followed up by Goreville at 8:30 p.m. in the Goreville Invitational Tournament. I will preview this afternoon’s games and will have another preview on the games tonight after the completion of the afternoon session of both tournaments.
When I make an “If I drove” statement, I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me. For those that don’t know, I have not driven in three years because of Seizures. I would be in Perry and Johnson Counties today. I would be checking out the hospitality rooms at DuQuoin and Goreville. There is not one that I have not liked yet. Today I will be getting a look at Hardin County and Goreville on video. I will watch the Rangers and the Blackcats tonight. I will be listening to a lot of radio broadcasts. I will sneak the Salukis in there on this cold cloudy December day.
Sesser Valier (1-1) vs Carmi-White County (2-0) 12:30 P.M. at DuQuoin
It seems like Matt Rice has been in the backcourt and Jake Simon has been down low for the Bulldogs forever. Jack Bullock (ABV Jack) of abaselineview.com has Carmi winning the East division on the BDC.
The Red Devils are coming off a tough 55-53 loss to a very quick and physical Cairo Pilot club last night. Shane Garner can throw 10 different guys on the floor and not miss a beat. Legs will be a factor for the Devils today. The bulldogs had the night off. I am going with Carmi-White County by 10 today.
I might be not a very popular guy in Pitchfork Nation but I will have them going 0-2 today. Playing in the Tip-Off classic and the BIT might not pad the regular season record, but what really matters in late February when the record flips to 0-0. Those are the games that really count.
What jumped out at me in the box score last night, it looks like the Pilot defense shut Charlie Farmer down. Joshua Gunter and Addison Baxter led S-V with 18. There are two more weapons that Coach Shane Garner will have at his disposal of his very deep ball club.
Benton (3-0) vs Johnston City (3-0) at Goreville
If someone would have come up to me last week that Johnston City would be 3-0 a week ago I would have wondered what local watering hole you walked out of.
The Indians has surprised a lot of High School basketball fans across Southern Illinois. I knew going in that EJ Thompson was a player. I have watched Luka Galdoni on the football field the last couple seasons, and knew he was a tremendous athlete.
Chase Selby, Wyatt Rix, and Houston Hall can flat out shoot the ball. You throw big Max Edwards in there in the inside. Johnston City might be one of the better 2A teams in Southern Illinois this year.
Benton Coach Ron Winemiller is concerned about their strength and athleticism. This will be the Rangers toughest test of the year. There were several raving about the Ranger’s defense last night. I am going with Benton by 15 this afternoon in a very hard fought ball game. This might be a close one at halftime.
There will be an evening edition of previews at the completion of both games.
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