Rockets outlast Rangers at BIT

January 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT

The Okawville Rockets continue to open eyes this week, during the Benton Invitational Tournament. The success of the Rockets may come as a surprise to some.  But the fact that they were led by potential All-State candidate Jeremy Weeke should not catch anyone by surprise. Weeke turned in a double-double Friday night leading his team to a convincing 49-37 win over the host Benton Rangers.

Still, Ron Winemiller’s Rangers battled back at one point in the second half to be down by just a half dozen. However, Weeke gave them little chance to get closer. He scored 20 points in the game and pulled down 23 rebounds for a dominating performance at both ends of Rich Herrin Gymnasium.

Okawville took the home crowd out of the game early. after one quarter the Rockets led 15-4. Of the 15 points scored, Weeke had 7 of them, and 8 rebounds. That set the tone individually, and for the game, in Okawville’s favor. Benton trailed 30-18 at half. The Rangers made up a half dozen of theose points in the third quarter. However, the Rockets caught a second wind to cruise to the victory.

Benton was led in scoring by Nathaniel Higgins and 13 points, Sheeks and Ward added 10 apiece.

The BIT continues with both an afternoon and evening session in today’s final day of action.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Carterville wins over WF at MWC

January 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The West Frankfort Redbirds and Carterville Lions faced off Friday night for a spot in the MidWinter Classic title game.

The West Frankfort Redbirds and Carterville Lions faced off Friday night for a spot in the MidWinter Classic title game.

By BRUCE A. FASOL

Christian Dunning shoots from the lane in the second quarter.

Christian Dunning shoots from the lane in the second quarter.

Carterville Lions Coach Scott Burzynski admitted after the game that teams that shoot 33 percent from the field rarely win games.

He also admitted that when his team did, they were fortunate enough to still win. However, the head coach did quickly credit his players for making the plays at the end of the game to have a chance to win. Carterville parlayed a Lucas Hunter corner shot to a win over the West Frankfort Redbirds 47-45.

The win propelled the Lions to Saturday night’s title game against Goreville. Both the Lions and Blackcats won their respective pools. The two teams played earlier with Goreville winning.

The West Frankfort Redbirds established their game plan early, and took advantage of Carterville’s cold shooting from the field.
After one quarter the Redbirds led 9-2. However, as ineffective as they were shooting the basketball in the first quarter, the Lions were as exact in the second frame. In fact, both teams simply traded places. It was the Redbirds who struggled with their first basket of the second frame coming at the 4:02 mark. That was a Christian Dunning turn around shot in the lane. At the half, Carterville led 18-15.
The third quarter belonged to the Redbirds. A pair of 3-point shots from sophomore Braxston Koehl and sophomore Dunning paced the home team. A third shot was mistakenly announced as a Redbird 3-pointer, but changed at the scorers table to the 2-point shot the referees had called on the floor. After three quarters,the ‘Birds  led 34-29.
Carterville's Lucas Hunter takes the game-winning shot from the corner.

Carterville’s Lucas Hunter takes the game-winning shot from the corner.

The fourth quarter  saw both teams turn in big plays, one after the other.  Carterville started their run early when they were down by seven points. Matt Galik and Blake Watson drained 3-point shots in the fourth quarter’s first four minutes. Galik’s trey pulled the Lions to within two points with 3:20 left in the game. At that time,the score 41-39.

The game was tied at 42 as the clock hit 1:30 remaining. Carterville’s comeback was aided by some key Redbird turnovers late in the game. A tie up on a rebound gave the Lions the ball underneath their own goal with the possession arrow favoring them. With :53 seconds left, Lucas Hunter hit a free throw to tie the game at 45.
That set the scene for the Lions receiving the winning shot from the left corner by Hunter.
As the ball exited the basket, the clock showed a tenth of a second. Officials informed the scorers bench that time had been officially called with 2.1 seconds left in the game. The Redbirds inbounded at the far end of the floor and manuevered to the top of the opponents key before Koehl tossed up a heave toward the goal. It was slightly off to the left, and there would be no Redbird miracle win this night.
Scoring for the Redbirds: Koehl 18, Dunning 17, Easley 5, Williams 2, Keller 1,  Fort 1, Maller 1.
Carterville was led by the 13 of Blake Watson.
With the loss, the Redbirds fall to 6-11 for the season. It snapped the first two win streak of the year for Dan Dewerff’s squad. West Frankfort will play for Third Place tonight against Herrin, in the 7 p.m. game of the MWC.

 

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

Sesser-Valier takes MWC championship

January 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Bruce A. Fasol

Rick Metcalf has always been known as a good basketball coach. He was a college assistant at Murray State University. As head boys varsity basketball coach at Sesser-Valier and Vienna he also achieved much success.

Some of that success came when he coached the Red Devil boys team to West Frankfort Mid-Winter Classic basketball titles in the 90’s. Now, Metcalf has become the answer to a trivia question. He is the first person to coach boys and girls teams to MWC titles.

The Lady Red Devils knocked off Herrin 61-54 Thursday night to win the 2013 crown. But, it was not easily accomplished. Sesser-Valier had to dig themselves out of a 15 point hole in the very first quarter. But, they didn’t panic and slowly cut the Lady Tiger lead. Rachel Marlo flipped the “on” switch in the second quarter scoring 15 points by herself in the frame to lead the come back. They not only caught the Tigers but passed them in that memorable frame. Marlo hit two 3-point shots in the final half minute to give Sesser-Valier a bucket lead at the break.

In the second half, Herrin fought back but could come no closer than 5 points. Abby Horn put the team on her back scoring 8 straight points at one juncture of the fourth quarter. However, SV held off the Lady Tigers for the championship.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Living, Special Events, Zeigler Royalton Junior High Sports

Redbirds seek to add to win streak

January 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By Bruce A. Fasol
One goal that has eluded the West Frankfort Redbird boys varsity basketball team this year is a winning streak.  But, Wednesday’s overtime win over Eldorado gave the ‘Birds’ their first back-to-back wins on the season.
Tonight, the Redbirds will attempt to add to that streak when they play Carterville in the 9 p.m. game of the 2013 Mid-Winter Classic.  At stake will be a berth in Saturday night’s championship contest. This year’s Mid Winter Classic is a pool play set up with the four teams of one division playing the corresponding finishing teams of the other division.  The two top teams in each pool play division will clash for the title.
Filed Under: High School Sports, Uncategorized, West Frankfort High School Sports

Redbirds win in overtime

January 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Sophomore Braxston Koehl was the Redbirds' scoring leader Wednesday night at the Midwinter Classic tournament.

Sophomore Braxston Koehl was the Redbirds’ scoring leader Wednesday night at the Midwinter Classic tournament.

By BRUCE A. FASOL

Former Hall of Fame basketball coach David Lee would tell his teams, “just win trips down the floor and the rest will take care of itself.” Coach Dan Dewerff may have given his team much the same advice Wednesday night.

The Redbirds held a short lead at two of the three quarter breaks going into the final frame. At times, the Redbirds cruised and held as much as a 13-point lead in the second half. However, a Joel Boulds three point shot was enough to send the Eagles into an overtime period at Max Morris gym.

It is then that the timely message of “winning trips” began to pay off. In the overtime, the Redbirds held Eldorado to three points total.

Tyler Deaton scored all three of those points. Meanwhile the Redbirds cobbled together some offense of their own, basically from the free-throw line. The only field goal scored was a Braxston Koehl bucket, and ensuing free throw. What did not show up in the box score was the fact that the Redbirds controlled the rebounding boards, limitting Eldorado to single shots in the extra period.

In the extra period, the Redbirds were 8 of 11 from the foul line as they wrapped up the victory.

With the win, the Redbirds are now 2-0 in pool play in the tournament. Saturday’s match-ups are determined by pool play and the Redbirds could move to the title game with a win Friday night. Friday’s 9 p.m. game is a match-up with Carterville. The winner will play for the championship against the winner of the other pool.

The Redbirds were led by sophomore Braxston Koehl with 17, and senior Trenton Easley with 14.   Eldorado was led by Joel Boulds’ 15 points.

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

Redbirds win over Vienna in Midwinter Classic opener

January 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Christian Dunning cruises toward the basket for two of the 25 points he scored in Saturday night’s Midwinter Classic opener.

By BRUCE A. FASOL

Both halves of Saturday night’s boys varsity basketball game ended the same way in West Frankfort. Both halves were closed out by shots into the same goal from around the half-line. The first shot from Vienna sent the Redbirds into the locker room with their heads down and momentum on the side of the visiting Eagles. The two teams were playing their openers in the annual Mid-Winter basketball tournament, at Max Morris Gym.

The second shot brought Redbird players onto the court and the fans to their feet. With no time remaining, the Redbirds won the game on a Zack Fort heave that found the bottom of the net, giving the ‘Birds an amazing 65-64 come from behind win.Things appeared to be going well for the Redbirds after one period as they held a lead of 11-9. But, a 12-0 run to begin the second quarter buried the home team under a double digit deficit. The run was finally cut by a Christian Dunning free throw. Then, as time expired, Quentin Bent swished a desperation toss from the half-line to give the Eagles a 31-19 halftime lead.

The Redbirds came back with a balanced offense and improved defense in the third quarter to make up 7 points of that deficit. The Redbirds forced turnovers and improved their outside scoring in that quarter. The fourth quarter saw the Redbirds draw within a single point on multiple occasions.

West Frankfort Redbird Zach Fort takes a last-second 3-point shot for the win against the Vienna Eagles on Saturday night.

Still, with 3.1 seconds remaining it appeared that Vienna would steal a win in their first ever Mid-Winter game.  Zack Fort had other ideas. Fort took the ball in the back court, drove thru the circle and let fly with a prayer toward the north basket. It found its mark as the crowd erupted and players engulfed Fort at mid-court. Having not  led since the early moments of the game and the first quarters end, the Redbirds had the lead on the final scoreboard- when it counted most. A smiling Dan Dewerff shook hands with Vienna Coach Cory Waters after the game with a look of both elation and relief.

Scoring for the Redbirds: Christian Dunning had 25 points for the Redbirds, 16 unofficial rebounds and near flawless free throw shooting down the stretch in one of the sophomore’s best games this season.  Other scorers: Fort 11,Koehl 8, Keller 8, Maller 2, Sisk 2, and Williams 2.

Vienna was led by Quentin Bent with 27 for game high honors, in a losing cause.

 It was the opening boys game of the tournament and the only boy’s game played saturday night. The Redbird boys are back in action Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. when they play Eldorado.
This year’s Mid-winter Classic features “pool play” with teams put into divisions to play each other. The order of finish will determine which teams match up on Saturday, the tournament’s final day.
Filed Under: High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Lady Redbirds fall to Herrin at MWC

January 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

The West Frankfort Lady Redbirds had obviously set their goal to battle Herrin in the opener of the 2013 Mid-Winter Classic. And, they met that goal. However, their horn to horn effort fell just short as Herrin scored a 46-34 win that did not belie how close the game was for much of the contest. After one quarter, Herrin led the Lady Redbirds 12-10. The lead was 21-15 by intermission.

In the second half the Redbirds lost ground in the third quarter as they could not get their shots to fall, outscored in quarter three 13-4. But, in the final stanza, Matt Hampleman’s team made a comeback run out-pointing the Lady Tigers 15-12.

West Frankfort was led by the 11 points of Calvert, Wilce had 9, Stewart 6, Sailiez,4 Summers 2, melvin 2 and Williams 2 points.

This was the opening game for both teams in the tournament. Both teams are off until Tuesday night as Monday’s games are on the boys side of the tournament.

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

Blackcats and Bearcats battle

January 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

A fourth quarter comeback attempt by the host Christopher Bearcats fell short Friday night.

Christopher hosted high-flying Goreville in a Black Diamond Conference game. The Goreville Blackcats were not intimidated by their surroundings in the orange clad gymnasium. They set the tone of the game by jumping out to a 13-5 first quarter lead. The half time advantage for Todd Tripp’s team was up 23-16. Five more points were tacked onto the lead after three quarters. But, in the fourth frame, Christopher outscored the Goreville squad 18-14. But, the mini-comeback fell short.

Scoring for the Bearcats:  Mercks 17, Kuh 11, Young 10, atchison 8, Towers 3.

Dayton Tripp led the visitors with 20 points including 12 off three-point shots.

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports

Redbirds drop sluggish road game

January 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

For most of the evening, the Murphysboro Red Devils struggled at the free throw line. Most of the time, not all of the time.

Murphysboro made free throws when it counted, in a lackluster offensive performance for both teams. The home team was 6 of 8 from the stripe which was the margin of difference in a 34-28 victory. What doomed the Redbirds is that all 6 of the made charity tosses came in the final three minutes of the game. It was during that period that West Frankfort battled back to win a single point.

The game started slowly for both teams, reaching almost the halfway point of the initial quarter before someone scored.  Both teams may have considered replacing Gatorade with Red Bull by quarters end which found Murphysboro up 9-3. Murphysboro scored that first bucket of the game. The Redbirds then answered with a 3-point shot to take a brief lead, with the Devils scoring the next 6 points of the quarter. The offensive drought continued for both teams in the second quarter as well, and at intermission the score was Murphysboro 16- WF 6.

The Redbirds came out with more energy in the third quarter and made a run at the Red Devils. In the third quarter, the Redbirds cut what was a 13-point deficit to just 4 by quarter’s end.

The fourth quarter saw West Frankfort make runs and Murphysboro rebound to lengthen leads back to as many as a half dozen.
With two and a half minutes left, a Christian Dunning free throw made it a 2 point game. at the 2:12 remaining mark, the wheels came off the wagon. Braxton Koehl was called for a charge on a drive thru the lane. On the ensuing trip up the floor, the Redbirds fouled, and were whistled for a technical foul on senior Trenton Easley.
Murphysboro’s Jacob Baird made one of the technical free throws to run the lead to three- still a one possession game.  The 3-point lead survived a Redbird free throw trip, but Koehl missed both free throws. Murphysboro added the final margin on two trips to the stripe themselves.
With the loss, the Redbirds fall to 4-10 and have their winning streak of a single game broken as they failed to win back-to-back games. The Redbirds are 0-6 in the Ohio Division.
Scoring for Dan Dewerff’s team: Koehl 17, Dunning 8, Maller 5, Keller 4, Easley 3, Fort 1.
The Redbirds open up play in the rrevamped annual Mid-Winter classic tonight with a 7pm game against Vienna at Max Morris Gym
Filed Under: High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Sesser-Valier wins conference game

January 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT

The Sesser-Valier Red Devils and cross-county rival Zeigler-Royalton Tornadoes renewed their rivalry Friday night in Sesser. And, the two battled in Black Diamond Conference play as usual. When the final horn sounded, Sesser-Valier was a 48-30 winner.

A massive third quarter by Tyler Baxter blocked off any attempts by the Tornadoes to cut into a six point Red Devil lead at the half of 20-14. Baxter ripped the nets for 9 points in the frame. That was one more than ZR could muster as a team, as coach Chip Basso’s team went to lockdown mode on defense. In both the third and fourth quarters only 8 points was tallied by the visitors, keeping them from making a strong comeback.

Sesser-Valier scoring: Baxter 14,Hood 11, Marlo and Lingle 7 each, Kulich 5, Eubanks 4.

 Zeigler-Royalton scoring:Stubblefield 7, Schimpf 6, McPhail, Moskoff,and Jones 5 each, and Pedigo 2.
Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports
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