Derek Oxford (left) Benton Coach Ron Winemiller (center) and Timmy Henson (right) at Carver Arena in Peoria, Thursday

Timmy Henson and Derek Oxford slid on the Ranger jersey one final time as participated in the Country Financial Three Point Showdown at Carver Arena in Peoria Thursday.

In the preliminary round Henson made nine threes.  Oxford made 11.  He was beat out in the tie breaker and did not advance to the state finals, which were this afternoon.

Thank you to both for providing the memories for a lot of basketball fans, in not only Benton, but across Southern Illinois.

-sd

This Future Ranger might have a future in the broadcast booth. Trey Severin with Ranger color man Coach Tom Wheeler last night at B.E. Gum gym. Trey had on a headset earlier.

SALEM, IL- (WJBD radio- Salem/Centralia, Click to read the full article. Here is an excerpt) A slow start couldn’t be overcome by a strong finish and the Salem Wildcats fell to 6th ranked Benton at B.E. Gum on senior night 56-51. Brenden Boles layup with 2:38 left cut a 15 point second half deficit to just 2 points, but Salem would get no closer. Derek Oxford hit a 3 pointer from the corner, his 4th on the night, to help seal the deal late for the Rangers who improved to 28-2 while Salem fell to 12-14. Brenden Boles led the Cats with 13 points. Kaden Wayer added 12.

Steve Dunford – franklincounty-news.com

When the seedings came out last night, The IHSA used geography for the play in games of the complex which made sense.  I figured there would be a good chance that the Rangers would be facing the Marion Wildcats.  They will be playing them on Wednesday night, March 1st., at 7:00 p.m. at Carterville.

I know several were disappointed, feeling the Rangers were low balled, I was at first.  Here is what I was thinking.  To get out of a regional, you are going to have to face either Carbondale or Centralia anyway.

Yes, an extra night of rest might have been beneficial.  However, the lay out of the bracket gives the Ranger coaching staff one last look at Carbondale playing a familiar opponent.

For Marion, Justin Shadowens is very exciting to watch.  He reminds me of the Energizer Bunny.  He is one of the better point guards I have watched in a long time.  He is a Lukas Gunter/Seth Ramsey type player.

Jackson Connor will be a treat for Ranger fans to watch as well.  He is the son of Zeigler-Royalton standout Sean Connor.  He does not play like a freshman on the court.  He has the capabilities of being a high level Division 1 player, like his dad was at Notre Dame.

Marion Coach and Benton resident Dave Brown goes eight or nine deep.  They do have a little of a size advantage on the Rangers.  This has been going into games several times this year.

I am a little old school when I give regional parings.  After the complex, they are regionals.  I give the seeds as such.  I also give pairings one round at a time for local teams.  For the whole Class 3A state tournament bracket copy the link below:

http://ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysBasketball/StateSeriesInformationResults.aspx?url=/data/bkb/3bracket.htm

CARTERVILLE CLASS 3A REGIONAL PAIRINGS

• Game 1:  (4)  Massac County vs (5) Carterville, Monday, February 27th., at 7:00 p.m.
• Game 2:  (1)  Carbondale vs winner of game one, Tuesday, February 28sth., at 7:00 pm
• Game 3:  (2) Benton vs (3) Marion, Wednesday March 1st., at 7:00 p.m.
• Game 4:  Championship, winner of Game 2 verses winner of game three, Friday, March 3rd, at 7:00 p.m.

The winner advances to the Benton Sectional to play the winner of the Breese-Mater Dei Regional Tuesday, March 7th., at 7:00 p.m.

The seedings were released this afternoon for the class 3A and 4A boys basketball teams statewide.  The Benton Rangers (25-2) are the four seed in the Carterville/Centralia Class 3A Regional/Sectional Complex.

Centralia is hosting and they received the two seed.  It is a guarantee the Rangers will be going to Carterville.  It is most likely their first round opponent will be the Marion Wildcats.

Game times and pairings will come out tomorrow afternoon.  We will share them on the site.

Below are the seedings and records:

1.  Carbondale (17-7)

2.  Centralia (16-9)

3.  Murphysboro (19-5)

4.  Benton (26-2)

5.  Marion (15-10)

6.  Herrin (14-10)

7.  Salem (12-12)

8.  Massac County (11-12)

9.  Carterville (13-11)

10.  Mt. Vernon (7-18)

sd