High School Sports Archives - Page 48 of 67 - Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News

Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament parings released…

December 12, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

The pairings have been released for the 2016 version of the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament; that runs from December 26-30. Here are the opponents and game times for the four Franklin county schools in the first round on December 26: Zeigler-Royalton plays number one seed Woodlawn at 1:30 P.M.; Number two seed Christopher plays New Athens at 5:00 P.M.; Thompsonville plays number three seed Steeleville at 6:30 P.M.; and number six seed Sesser-Valier plays Galatia in the Devils traditional 8 P.M. time slot. Full bracket below:

West Frankfort falls to Salem 55-45

December 11, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

The FCHS Redbirds boys Varsity and JV basketball teams split with the Salem Wildcats at home Saturday. In the varsity game, a very good Salem team came out on top 55-45. For the second straight game West Frankfort got off to a slow start as they fell behind 11-4

Jaryd Clark crashes the boards last year down at Massac County with Austin Glodich and Keagan Thrash (Metropolis Planet File Photo)

after one quarter. Salem led 24-15 at halftime and 37-25 after three quarters on their way to the 10 point win. Both teams used a very good man to man defense throughout the game, but Salem’s superior height was the difference as they scored several points from the paint. Noah Allen led the Redbirds in scoring with 17 points, 12 of which came in the second half. Click on the article to read the story from westfrakfortsports.com

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

West Frankfort girls defeat Johnston City this afternoon

December 10, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Morgan Griffith getting the 2,000 point ball being presented by long time West Frankfort coach Matt Hampleman

The FCHS Lady Redbirds Varsity and JV basketball teams both defeated Johnston City Saturday. In the Varsity game, West Frankfort came out on top 63-35. The Lady Redbirds got off to a slow start as they committed several turnovers on their way to a 10-6 first quarter lead. West Frankfort took control of the game in the second quarter as they out scored the Lady Indians 22-12 to take a 32-18 halftime lead. Here is the link to the story from westfrankfortsports.com

Filed Under: High School Sports, Thompsonville Junior High Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Franklin County HS basketball preview 12/10/16

December 10, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford-Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron

WOODLAWN (2-3) AT CHRISTOPHER (2-1)

The last time the Christopher Bearcats stepped on the floor was a 61-57 defeat to the Wayne City, in the Championship Game of their own Turkey Tournament. Woodlawn was 55-32 winners last night against the Odin Eagles. The Cardinals were very competitive in a

Bradley Young in the Championship Game of The Christopher Turkey Tournament last year( Southern Illinoisan file photo)

very tough Carlyle Kaskaskian Classic, where they finished fifth.

The Cardinals have only one starter back in guard Blake Wollerman, for the team that finished fourth place at the Class 1A State Tournament. Trey Isasc and Jordan Hoppa were the first two off the bench. The cupboard is not bear for first year coach Scott Gamber.

I watched all three games at Christopher. Teams were keying on Bradley Young. Kaleab Pedigo had an explosive week averaging 27 a game. Jared Curry had a nice week as well too.

Young is going to explode on someone, and it is going to be tonight. The Bearcats have some unfinished from last year and they are going to win by three tonight.

SALEM (3-3) at WEST FRANKFORT (1-2)

Salem finished fourth in the Lawrenceville Capital Classic and has split in their next two games. An eleven point win over Fairfield got my attention. However, a loss to Mascoutah sent their stock south.

Jaryd Clark crashes the boards last year down at Massac County with Austin Glodich and Keagan Thrash (Metropolis Planet File Photo)

Noah Allen and Austin Glodich have been carrying most of the scoring burden for the Redbirds this year.

It is tough to analyze a team that is coming out of the Apollo conference, when most teams have a 217 area code. Logic would go with the Wildcats tonight. I am going with my gut and my heart and going with the Redbirds by one. I expect Kyle Hammers to have a breakout game tonight at Max Morris Gym

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Rangers defeat Herrin in key SIRR Ohio match up

December 10, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

HERRIN — Plan A for Benton guard Timmy Henson was taking the in-bounds pass and driving nearly the length of the floor for the game-winning shot. Herrin’s defense never forced Plan B. Henson

Newly rennovated Rich Herrin Gym

drove the length of the floor in 3.9 seconds to can the game-winning layup with 2.6 ticks on the clock as the Rangers pulled out a thrilling 54-52 SIRR Ohio win over the Tigers at Memorial Gym on Friday night. The Rangers 6-0 and 1-0 in the SIRR Ohio, will host undefeated Carmi-White County, in a newly renovated Rich Herrin Gym Tuesday night.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports, Slider, Sports

Tigers get whipped by Webber…Woodlawn and Waltonville also win

December 10, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Thompsonville fell to Webber Township 76-39 last night. Woodlawn also wins. They come and visit the Christopher Bearcats tonight. All three games last night will have a bearing on the seeds at the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament….Click to read the piece from the Mount Vernon Register-News

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports

High School Basketball Preview 12/9/16

December 9, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron

Five out of the six teams in the county will be in action tonight, four will have conference games. The games will be previewed below. I have the county schools going 1-4 tonight. I might be the most hated man in the county right now after you read this. Around 10 P.M. I hope I am the biggest liar in the county. It does not get any better than HS basketball on a cold winter’s night around Southern Illinois.

Benton (5-1) at Herrin (4-1)

This is the conference opener for both SIRR Ohio division teams tonight. Benton is coming off a 5-0 Goreville Tournament championship. Herrin is coming off of a strong 4-1 showing at the Pyramid Plus on Thanksgiving week.

Herrin has basically the same core coming back from last year in

Ranger All Tournament team recipients from the Goreviille Invitational, left Austin Wills, middle Timmy Henson (MVP) right Derek Oxford

Ranger All Tournament team recipients from the Goreville Invitational, left Austin Wills, middle Timmy Henson (MVP) right Derek Oxford

Nessler, Spell, and the Downen twins. Benton has the same core as well too.

Rust might be a factor for the Tigers tonight, not playing in two weeks. The Goreville Game on Saturday night of the tournament was the only real test the Rangers has had.

I say the Rangers will come out of Memorial gym tonight at the skin of their teeth. I am going with the Rangers by three in a barn burner.

Harrisburg (1-2) at West Frankfort (1-1)

Harrisburg is coming off of a 1-2 week at the Ernie Bozarth Classic in Murphysboro. The Redbirds were defeated at Eldorado last Tuesday night by twelve points, in which the Eagles seemed to dominate. Tonight, both teams open SIRR Ohio play.

Blake Drue might be out for the season for the Bulldogs, but Coach Randy Smithpeters has a lot of role players that are back from last year. At the top of the list is 6’ 3” junior Isaiah Saulsbury.

This is one of those games that you don’t really know what to expect. What I do not see is the Redbirds having an answer to shut down Salusbury. I am going with Harrisburg by five. I hope that when I make the walk home from Max Morris gym, I will be wrong, talking about a Redbird victory.

Chester (5-1)(0-1) at Sesser-Valier (1-4)(0-0)

Earlier in the week I would have said Yellow Jackets by 20. The questions I have, Is Vienna that good, Did Chester overlook them, or do they miss Dylan Schwartz that bad?

Chester losing Wednesday night still has me shaking my head. The Devils might have got blown out at Okawville Tuesday night, but was far from being embarrassed up there.

I am going Chester by 10. This is one of those match-ups that peaks my curiosity and I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Zeigler-Royalton (1-3)(0-0) at Vienna (5-1)(1-0)

As I said earlier, I am still shaking my head about the Eagles making the long road trip and beating Chester Wednesday night.

I am afraid it is going to be a long night for the Tornadoes down at the Eagles Nest. If Z-R gets hot from the outside, and Vienna overlooks them, the Tornadoes might be able to stay around or spring the upset.

I have to go with Vienna by 20.

Thompsonville (3-3) at Webber Township (4-1)

This is a rematch in the opening round of the Christopher Thanksgiving Tournament where Webber defeated T’ville 62-56.

I am just going to say this. If Tigers play tonight like they did Tuesday night down at Carrier Mills, the Trojans will blow them out. If they have showings like they did when they have played NCOE this year, it might be a good ball game; and Thompsonville might leave Bluford with a win tonight.

I have to go with the law of averages. I have to go with Webber by eight, especially at home.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Several Franklin County former basketball players recognized on RLC Alumni Weekend

December 9, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

One thing in this picture, I noticed there are a lot of coaches and some officials in the picture. Nearly every Franklin County High school had alumnus who attended the event. I wonder if Ron Stanart sang the National Anthem before the Warriors’ Game?

INA, Ill. — Rend Lake College alumni players and coaches gathered on campus Saturday, Dec. 3, for the 4th Annual Warriors Basketball Alumni Weekend. FROM LEFT are; Brian Shaw, Derek Hood, Tommy Holder, George Brown, Trent Simpson, Hardy Crawford, Mark Dannenmueller, Josh Webb, Jack Smith, Damon Lee, Ron Stanart, Matt Hampleman, Mike McClure, Tim Wills, Chuck Doty, John Fisher, Walter Woodard, Wayne Arnold, Mitch Haskins, Jim Bybee, Jim Waugh, Hugh Moore, Marcus Fisher, Gary Burzynski, Steve Lacy, Lanny Shaw, Bill Kirk, Dean Jackson, Terry Taylor, Dan Lovin, Joe Norris, and Garry Hefner. Not Pictured: Dan Wymer, Bob Kelley, and Roger Yates (Photo by Nathan Wheeler / RLC Public Information)

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher High School Sports, College Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Carrier Mills curse continues for the Tigers

December 7, 2016 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford-Franklin County News and Gridiron

CARRIER MILLS- Since the early 80’s when I was in Junior High, Thompsonville has not played well at Carrier Mills. Since joining the Greater Egyptian Conference coming from the defunct Mid South conference, the Tigers has played some clunkers down there. Last night was no exception, as they lost 58-34 last night in Saline County.

T’ville Coach Pete Gordon gave me one quote, We didn’t shoot well, didn’t rebound well, didn’t defend well, gave a poor effort. That will get your tail kicked every time.

The Tigers shot 20% from the field, and were out-rebounded 44-33. It was one shot and out for Thompsonville. CM killed them on the offensive boards.

I knew Wildcat coach Keil Peebles would come out in a zone. They played in a box in one most of the night guarding Sophmore PG Tyson Kessler. It was the first time that he was under double figures for the year with eight points on the night. Tiger 6′ 7″ center Anthoney Darge was held scoreless.

Tiger guard Cory Wilce on the wing with PG Tyson Kessler at the top of the key.

Carrier Mills put three men in double figures. Freshman phenom led the Wildcats with 15 points. Justice Hill had 14 points and Brody Walker had 13. The only Tiger in double figures was Reed Raubach with ten points.

The Tigers were in deep foul trouble all night. Coach Gordon had to go deep to his bench in the second quarter and Carrier Mills outscored them 15-2.

After the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, the only time Thompsonville was blown out last year was down at Carrier Mills. Maybe one day the curse will be broken.

The Tigers fell to the .500 mark (3-3) and (1-2) in GEC play. They do not have a conference game until January 6, when the host the Hardin County Cougars at home.

They have a tough opponent Friday night as the travel to Bluford to take on the Webber Township Trojans. Webber is 4-1 on the year losing to the Christopher Bearcats 61-52 which was closer than the final score. The Tigers lost to Webber on opening night 62-56. It is going to be a tough task for T’ville at home.

Carrier Mills improves to (3-4) and (1-2) in the conference. They will make the long road trip to Hardin County Friday night in a GEC match up.

BOX SCORE:

CARRIER MILLS (58): Gibbs 1 34-9 15; Hill 6 0 2-5 14; Walker 4 0 5-6 13; Lollis 4 0 1-3 9; Barnes 1 0 2-2 4; Lewis 1 0 0-0 2; Shaw 0 0 1-3 1; Austin 0-0 0-0 0; Fuller 0 0 0-0 0; Schwartz 0 0 0-0 0; Moss 0 0 0-0 0

THOMPSONVILLE (34): Raubach 2 2 0-0 10; Kessler 1 0 6-8 8; Payne 1 1 2-2 7; Fitch 3 0 0-0 6; Darge 0 0 0-0 0; Kirkman 0 0 0-2 0; Dixon 0 0 0-0 0; Jones 0 0 0-0 0; Summers 0 0 0-0 0; Woodring 0 0 0-0 0 Cardwell 0 0 0-0 0.

SCORE BY QUARTERS:

CARRIER MILLS (3-4)(1-2) 10 15 9 24-58

THOMPSONVILLE (3-3)(1-2) 9 2 9 14-34

Filed Under: High School Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports