Holiday hoops action kicks off this morning as region digs out from Christmas blizzard

December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT

A blizzard may have delayed holiday week basketball in Southern Illinois this year, but it couldn’t stop it. Many of the regions’ girls’ and boys’ basketball tournaments that traditionally start on the day after Christmas will begin today, Dec. 27. Here’s a look at each Franklin County team’s schedule for the first day of games:

BENTON RANGERS (Boys)

The Rangers are playing in Pool C at the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic at Pinckneyville Community High School. They face Jerseyville at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Thomas Gym, and Teutopolis at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Auxiliary Gym. Games on Saturday will depend on where they place in the pool Friday.

CHRISTOPHER BEARCATS (Boys)

The Bearcats play Vienna today (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. in the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament. Play will continue Friday, Saturday and Monday.

SESSER-VALIER RED DEVILS (Boys)

Sesser-Valier plays New Athens at 8 p.m. today in the holiday tournament they are hosting at Sesser-Valier High School. Play continues Friday, Saturday and Monday.

WEST FRANKFORT REDBIRDS (Boys)

The Redbirds will play in the Eldorado Holiday Tournament, which runs Friday, Saturday and Monday. They face Fairfield at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

ZEIGLER-ROYALTON TORNADOES (Boys)

The Z-R boys play Waltonville today (Thursday) at 10:30 a.m. in the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament. Play will continue Friday, Saturday and Monday.

BENTON RANGERETTES (Girls)

Benton’s girls are playing in the tournament they host, the Benton Rangerette Christmas Classic 2012. The Rangerettes play Anna-Jonesboro at 11 a.m. today, Trico at 12:30 p.m. Friday and Goreville at 7 p.m. Saturday.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher High School Sports, Featured, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Rangerettes knock off Harrisburg 58-46 in key Ohio Division match up

December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

The Benton Rangerettes picked up a key Southern Illinois River to River Ohio Division victory last night defeating Harrisburg 58-46.

The Rangerettes, leading only 20-18 at halftime, opened the third quarter with a stifling three-quarter court press and forced five consecutive turnovers that they converted to eight quick points to build a 10 point lead.

“We ended the second quarter kind of struggling offensively and decided to throw the press at them and see if we could generate some offense from our defense,” said Benton coach Andy Sloan. “Harrisburg has good guards so I was surprised that our press hurt them like it did. It was the turning point in the game.”

Benton, playing perhaps its best overall game of the season, jumped out to a quick 12-7 first quarter lead behind five points from Cali Carney. Harrisburg received a big lift off its bench in the first half as Kelsey Hobbs and Devan Jones combined for 10 of the Lady Bulldogs 18 first half points. Hobbs hit a pair of three-pointers in the second quarter when Harrisburg outscored the Rangerettes 11-8 to claw back to within two – 20-18 – at the halftime intermission.

During a frantic two minute stretch to begin the third quarter Benton got four points from Morgan Corn, four from Sami Minor and two from Evelyn Mendez to put the game out of reach. After scoring 20 points in the first half Benton outscored Harrisburg 25-10 in the decisive third frame to take a 45-28 lead.

Harrisburg, on some key outside shooting by Lindsey Murray and Ashley Ferrell, cut the margin to 10 points at the midway point of the fourth quarter but the Rangerettes hit some clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the win and improve to 9-4 overall. The victory also pulls the Rangerettes even with Harrisburg in the tough Ohio Division of the SIRR where it has turned into a four-team battle. Benton and Harrisburg both are 3-2 in conference play and every team including front runners Herrin and Massac County all have at least one loss. Benton still has games at home against Massac County and Herrin. Last night’s loss drops Harrisburg to 11-3 overall.

Benton was led in scoring by Cali Carney, who turned in her best overall performance of the season narrowly missing a triple-double. Carney tallied 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight steals in the victory and was followed closely by Morgan Corn who had 13 points to go with 9 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for Benton was Evelyn Mendez with 10 points. Minor turned in a steady game and scored nine points, followed by Mikala Carney with six and Marcela Mendez and Katie Sandusky with two points each.

The Rangerettes are idle until they host the annual Rangerettes Christmas Classic that will be held on Dec. 27, 28 and 29. The round robin affair will feature unbeaten Goreville along with Hamilton County, Trico, Carterville and Anna-Jonesboro.

Pairing for the Rangerettes Christmas Classic are:

Dec. 27

Session 1

11:00 a.m. – Benton vs. AJ

12:30 p.m. – Hamilton County vs. Trico

2 :00 p.m. – Carterville vs. Goreville

Session 2

5:30 p.m. – Trico vs. AJ

7:00 p.m. – Goreville vs. Hamilton County

8:30 p.m. – Benton vs. Carterville

Dec. 28

Session 1

11:00 a.m. – Goreville vs. AJ

12:30 p.m. – Benton vs. Trico

2:00 p.m. – Carterville vs. Hamilton County

Session 2

5:30 p.m. – Trico vs. Goreville

7:00 p.m. – AJ vs. Carterville

8:30 p.m. – Benton vs. Hamilton County

Dec. 29

4:00 p.m. – Carterville vs. Trico

5:30 p.m. – Hamilton County vs. AJ

7:00 p.m. – Benton vs. Goreville

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Franklin Co. News, High School Sports, Uncategorized

Zeigler-Royalton Tornadoes defeat Trico in overtime

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By RANDALL RISLEY

ZEIGLER – Zeigler-Royalton used a tenacious team defense, clutch scoring and outstanding free-throw shooting to defeat Trico 64-61 in overtime Tuesday night.

“Our kids battled the entire game and gained confidence as the game went on,” said Zeigler Royalton coach Matt Morgan. “Their willingness to make a commitment on the defensive end, our ability to knock down free-throws, and our crowd’s energy were the difference in the game.”

The Tornadoes were led in scoring by Nick McPhail with 19 points and Boris Moskoff with 16.

McPhail had five field goals and was nine of eleven from the free throw line in addition to six assists and five steals.

Moskoff had three field goals and was an outstanding ten of ten from the charity stripe. Boris also added a team high seven rebounds.

Brandon Jones contributed eight points and six rebounds against the taller Pioneers, Jeffery Pedigo ran the offense, Jeremy Weddle added a clutch three pointer and Brandon Stubblefield and Bailey Schmipf
provided scoring and intense defense.

The Tornadoes are 10-3 on the season and 2-1 in Black Diamond Conference play.

Next up for Z-R will be #3 seed Waltonville in the first round of the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament.

“It’s a big win for our team and we are going to enjoy it, but at the same time we know we have to get back to the gym and get to work to prepare for the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament next week,” Morgan said.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Benton students collect items for food pantry

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT

The Benton High School Fellowship of Christian Students/Fellowship of Christian Athletes club recently collected food items for the Benton Ministerial Alliance food pantry.

The students had read that the food pantry was running low this fall and wanted to do something to help. It was completely their idea.

Items were donated by Benton High School students and faculty in their classrooms at the school.

In addition, items were collected at the gate at the home football playoff game against Robinson this year. Ultimately, several hundred items were collected and donated.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Benton News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , ,

Harrisburg defeats Lady Redbirds

December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

The Harrisburg Lady Bulldogs had a strategy best suited for a long distance race: get the big lead early and hold on. The Lady Bulldogs beat the West Frankfort Lady Redbirds 69-32 Tuesday night in Harrisburg.

The game was an Ohio Division conference match-up. Fueled by a 20-6 lead in the first quarter, Harrisburg outscored the Redbirds in every quarter thereafter. Only in the third quarter did the Redbirds virtually hold their own, outscored by just 4 points. However, by that time it was too little too late.

Scoring leader for Matt Hampleman’s club went to Jacklyn Calvert  with 13 points.Other scorers included: Wilce 8, Cunningham 5, and 2 each for Melvin, Sailiez, and Jones.

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

Redbirds dominate Carmi-White County

December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By BRUCE A. FASOL

A smothering defense allowed the West Frankfort Redbirds to break a close game open Tuesday night. The Redbirds scored a 58-42victory over visiting Carmi-White County.

The game opened slowly as neither team scored until the halfway point of the first quarter. At the end of the first eight minutes, the score was tied 8-8.

At the halfway point, the Redbirds and Bulldogs had battled closely with the Redbirds taking an intermission lead of 19-16.

The Redbirds forced turnovers in the third quarter and kept Carmi-White County out of their comfortable shooting zones. Eric Dixon’s team became their own worst enemy as the game dragged on. They shot three-point shots freely, rarely connecting. and, in doing so went away from offensive rebounding which had produced results in the first half.

In quarter three, the Redbirds got balanced, scoring Braxton Koehl with 7 points and Trenton Easley had 6 in the frame. By quarter’s end, the ‘Birds had opened a 38-26 lead and had captured the momentum.

The fourth quarter saw the Redbirds open the lead even further, enroute to the 16 point win.

And, with that win, Dan Dewerff’s team ran their record to 2-5 for the season. Scoring for the Redbirds included:  Trenton Easley and Christian Dunning with 15 points each, Nick Korolenko had 10,,Braxton Koehl had 9, Keller, and Maller had 4 points apiece, and Fort had a single free throw.
The Redbirds and Carmi-White County each had 20 rebounds.
Carmi-White County came from behind to win the JV game 51-45 after the Redbirds had opened up a fourth quarter lead.
The Redbirds now prepare for visiting Benton on Friday night. This was a game scheduled to begin the 2012-13 basketball season until Benton requested a reschedule. The junior varsity game begins at 6 p.m. Friday, and the varsity game approximately 7:45 p.m.
Filed Under: High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Sophomore Rangers get a win over Carbondale

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dakota Head makes a free throw to go up by 2 at the end of the game.

By TAMMY HEAD

Benton took the lead early and held on for the entire game to win 56-54 over Carbondale. The sophomore squad was hitting on all cylinders Monday night equally sharing the scoring responsibilities.

Ahead 21-18 after the first period, Rangers extended their lead to 39-26 at the half maintaining a ten point lead at the end of the 3rd.

Carbondale made a run at Benton at the 6 minute mark bringing the score to 49-46 with 5:30 left to play. Rangers continued to battle for the next 5 minutes, then with 33 seconds remaining, Carbondale was within 1 point. Dakota Head hit the front end of a pair of free throws to make the score 56-54. Carbondale had time to tie it up but couldn’t get the shot to fall. Rangers held on to win 56-54.

Coach Brett Blondi said, “I thought our kids played extremely hard and turned out a gutsy performance.  We made big stops when we needed to.  I was very proud of our kids effort.”

Scoring for the Rangers:

Trey McDaniel – 12, Martin Ward – 12, Jesse VanHorbeke – 12, Gus Gibbs – 10, Dakota Head – 8, Brendon Ritchason – 2

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

Freshman Rangers lose a close game against Carbondale

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Chase Owens brings the ball down with pressure from Carbondale’s Joon Choi.

By TAMMY HEAD

Benton’s Tyler Marler had almost half of the Ranger’s points in the first half. Marler had 10 points providing the Rangers with the stability they needed to be ahead 22-18 at the half. Marc Torres was 4 for 4 from the line adding those all important free throw points in the first half as well.

While the Rangers still held the lead 27-24 at the end of the 3rd period, Carbondale had started to gain some momentum. At the 4:34 mark in the 4th quarter, Carbondale tied the game. Carbondale was able to take the lead on 2 free throws by Patrick Moore. Although the Rangers had several chances to regain the lead, they were unable to do so.

Carbondale was consistent at hitting their free throws in the final minute of the game to widen the lead. Final score was Rangers 35-Terriers 41.

Scoring for Benton:

Tyler Marler – 12, Chase Owens – 7, Marc Torres – 6, Brendan Ritchason – 6, Levi Pearce – 4

Trevor McKinney also saw action for the Rangers

Scoring for Carbondale:

Justin Robinson – 10, Trenton Payton – 10, Joon Choi – 6, Unree Westley – 5, Kobe Lewis-Moss – 4, Patrick Moore – 4, Shahere Lark – 2

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports

Benton roars back in second half to hand Lady Devils first loss of year

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

By Jim Muir

It was a tale of two halves at Benton’s East Gym Monday night as the Rangerettes rebounded from a 16-point deficit to defeat Sesser-Valier-Waltonville 51-49.

The Lady Devils entered the game with a perfect 10-0 record and lived up to their billing as they blistered the nets in the opening half, shooting 76 percent from the field while coasting to a 37-23 halftime advantage.  S-V-W, who put a pair of 9-0 runs together in the first half, enjoyed its biggest lead of the night late in the second quarter doubling up the Rangerettes 32-16.

The off-the-charts shooting by S-V-W included 5-of-7 shooting from behind the arc and coupled by 10 first half turnovers by Benton it appeared the Lady Devils were in command and heading to their 11th win of the season.  But a rejuvenated Benton team took the floor in the third frame and quickly began taking control of the game.

“I didn’t yell at halftime,” said Benton coach Andy Sloan.  “We just talked about playing better defense and taking better care of the basketball.”

Those words sank in for the Rangerettes as they outscored S-V-W 15-7 to cut the deficit to a workable 44-38 heading into a wild and sometimes frantic final quarter.  S-V-W had eight turnovers and went 6:20 seconds without scoring in the quarter as the Rangerettes whittled into the lead.

The comeback was complete for Benton with less than two minutes to play when sophomore Cali Carney hit two free throws to give Benton a 48-47 lead.  The Lady Devils came back and grabbed a 49-48 lead moments later on a layup by Chelsea Miller with only 16 seconds remaining.  Benton took a time out to set up a play and Morgan Corn made a strong move to the basket and scored and was fouled with only 10 seconds remaining to put the Rangerettes up 50-49.  Corn hit the charity toss and a final shot by the Lady Devils to tie the game fell short giving Benton the victory.  Corn turned in a double-double for Benton with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“This is a nice win for us and I think a confidence-builder,” said Sloan.  “We played well at Marion in the tournament to open the season but has had some ups and downs since.  We are still looking for our identity.”

After trailing 37-23 the Rangerettes outscored S-V-W 28-12 in the second half holding the Lady Devils to three two-point field goals and six free throws.

The win improves Benton to 8-3 overall and is the first of three ‘big’ games for the Rangerettes this week.  Benton travels to Massac County Tuesday night to take on the always-tough Lady Patriots and the returns home on Thursday to close out the pre-Christmas portion of its schedule against a much-improved Harrisburg team.

Along with Corn’s 16 points Benton got eight points from Evelyn Mendez and Sami Minor and six points each from Katie Sandusky, Mikala Carney and Cali Carney.  Rae Lappin led the Lady Devils in scoring with 16 including a pair of 3-pointers.  Chelsea Miller added 11 points followed by Rachel Marlo with seven points, Meagan Eskew with six and Mikala Williams and Cheyenne Pitchford with four each.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Uncategorized

Benton wrestlers defeat AJ

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Benton Rangers wrestling team picked up a victory over Anna-Jonesboro on Monday night defeating the host Wildcats 56-12.  Listed below are the results.

 

BENTON – 56
ANNA-JONESBORO  – 12

106 – Jarred Burnett won by forfeit.
113 – Double forfeit.
120 – Benton forfeited to Lennie Kissel(A-J)
126 – Chase Worthey won by forfeit.
132 – Chris Worthey won by forfeit.
138 – Peyton Smith won by forfeit.
145 –Daniel Krug won by pin in 2:52 over Jacob Albert(A-J)
152 – Jarron Bennett won by pin in 2:49 over Teddy Albert(A-J)
160 – Luke Blackman won by forfeit.
170 – Double forfeit.
182 – Zach Mocoby won by forfeit.
195 – Double forfeit.
220 – Devon Siveking won by forfeit.
HVY – Jordan Piercy lost by pin in 1:36 to Chris Edwards(A-J).

Benton is 8-2 (1-0 in SIRR Ohio Divison) on the season.  Next up for coach Duane Bean’s team is a much anticipated appearance at the annual Class “A” Super Duals held at Huff Hall on the Campus of the University of Illinois. This prestigious event, held on Dec. 28-29 plays host to 32 of the top Class A schools in Illlinois.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports
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