High School Basketball around the region tonight

November 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Benton (0-1) vs Hardin County (0-1)  

The Rangers fell in a 67-65 overtime loss to the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats last night to open their season at the Goreville Invitational Tournament.

Here is a link to the story from last night’s game from Jim Muir.

Rangers drop season opener to AJ in overtime

Hardin County out of the Greater Egyptian Conference is featured by 6′ 6″ three year starter Jamison Hicks in the middle, 6′ 1″ G-F Hunter Cullom, 5′ 10″ PG Jaron Austin, and 6′ 2″ forward Gabe Fowler.  There could be a cast of four that will fill the fifth slot in the starting lineup for the Cougars tonight.

Hardin County Coach Rodney Lane stated that, “This is not the most athletic bunch that I’ve had but this is my favorite bunch.”

The Cougars, by far, play the toughest schedule in the GEC.  Along with this week at Goreville, they play in the Eldorado Holiday Tournament, have a home and home with Crittenden County KY, and also face Kentucky schools Union County and Webster County.  Webster Co., two years back, decimated the field at Eldorado.

I have the Cougars finishing third in the GEC, and Jack Bullock has the Cougars slated to finish fourth.

Here is the link to the box score from last night’s  35-25 loss by the Cougars to the Hamilton County Foxes from Jack Bullock of A Baseline view.

http://abaselineview.com/abvgorevilletourney.html

Thompsonville (1-2) at Pope County (3-2)  

After the Tigers pulled off a barn burner win against New Athens, their fortunes were not very good last week at Christopher as they were blown out by Webber Township and Wayne City.

The Pirates had a good week at Crab Orchard with a nice 18 point win over Elverado, and took the hosts down to the wire for a two point loss.

Both teams open Greater Egyptian Conference play tonight in Golconda.

Coach Bill Simmons will be going with 6′ 6″ Josh Floyd in the middle.  Floyd has been a three year starter since he transferred from Massac County.  In the paint with Floyd will be 6′ 3″ Cole Blankenship, and 6′ 1″ Nick Walker.

In the back-court will be three interchangeable guards that can pop the three in 5′ 11″ Sebastian Fasolo, and Matthew Davis and Jackson Eddington, both at 5′ 8″

When I asked Coach Simmons how he thought the season would go a couple of weeks ago, he said,  “I hope maybe we can win a conference game.  I know it is between us and Carrier Mills but Keil (Peebles) will out coach me.”  The veteran coach who came out of retirement to teach and coach at the Golconda school, always gives you the same song and dance that Joe Hosman gives and Bob Dallas used to by saying they would be lucky to win five ball games and ends up winning 15-20.

I was able to talk to Coach Simmons at halftime of the T’ville/Webber game.  He says, “If Pete (Gordon) comes out in that 3-2, we will have a tough time passing around 11 (Reed Raubach) and 21 (Anthoney Darge).   If we get the ball inside past them, I like our chances.”

Both Jack Bullock and I had Thompsonville finishing second in the GEC, and Pope County in the middle of the pack.

Girls

Harrisburg at West Frankfort

Herrin at Benton

 

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

Sesser-Valier drops season opener to Cairo

November 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

DU QUOIN — The Sesser-Valier Red Devils dropped a season-opening 71-64 decision to the Cairo Pilots Monday night in opening round action from the Du Quoin Tip Off Classic.

Playing without the services of senior veteran Lukas Gunter, S-V fell behind early, battled back but fell short against the up-tempo Pilots. Cairo jumped out to a 21-13 first quarter lead and led 41-35 at the intermission.

S-V Coach Shane Garner said the Cairo defensive pressure hurt the Red Devils in the early going.

“Cairo forced us into a ton of turnovers and we never could get into a good flow during the game,” Garner said. “We had 19 turnovers at the half and probably that many more in the second half.”

Peyton Rock, fresh off a stellar football season, drew high praise from his coach on his first outing on the hard court.

“I thought Peyton played a great game tonight,” said Garner.

Cairo outscored S-V in the third frame 18-12 and the six point swing gave the Pilots a double-digit lead 59-47 heading into the fourth quarter.

“After we got down we chipped away at the lead and got it to six points a couple of times but we just couldn’t seem to get over the hump,” said Garner. “If we control the ball and take care of it in the half court we’ve got a shot to win the game.”

Junior Tyler Winchester led the Red Devils in scoring with 23, followed by Rock who had 13. Rounding out the scoring for S-V Eli Gunter had nine points, Josh Gunter added eight, Preston Launius chipped in with six, Addison Page had three and Kadin Kiselewski had 2.

Malachi Brown and Damarius Taylor combined for 42 points in the victory that improved the Pilots to 1-2 on the young season. Brown matched S-V’s Winchester for game scoring honors with 23 and Taylor added 19 points.

In the five-team, four-game round robin Du Quoin Tip Off format each team gets a bye during one session. The Red Devils are not in action on Wednesday night but need to lace their tennis shoes up tight this weekend with three games (one on Friday and two on Saturday) in a 24-hour period. The Red Devils will face the host Du Quoin Indians in a 7:30 p.m. contest. On Saturday S-V faces Carmi-White County in a 12 noon matchup and then faces always tough Massac County at 6 p.m.

 

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, More Featured Articles, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports

Steve’s BDC West…SIRR Ohio…GEC……Turkey Tourney picks

November 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

You will see individual team previews of the Black Diamond, Southern Illinois River-to-River and Greater Egyptian Conferences.  Also I have how the hardware will be distributed next Saturday night at Christopher.

In the GEC, I used a little of sabermetrics.  Four through seven are even in my book.  The rankings might not determine strength of the opponent. It is a tough league to win on the road, so I slotted these four spots who has the home schedule advantage.

The conference is divided into two divisions.  One division is NCOE, Thompsonville, Crab Orchard, and Galatia, the other is Carrier Mills, Hardin County, Pope County, and Gallatin County.  You have a home and home with each team in the division.  The first game that you play against the team in your division counts as a conference game, the second a non-conference game.

I will do as many previews as ones I have made contact with from both divisions of the Black Diamond and River-to-River as well as the GEC of who I have made contact with.

I have did the same with the Christopher Turkey Tournament, as the teams outside the three conferences at Goreville and DuQuoin.

I only with predictions from the BDC West, and SIRR Ohio divisions.

Black Diamond West

1,  Goreville

2.  Sesser-Valier 

 3.  Christopher 

4.  Chester

5.  Vienna

6.  Trico

7.  Zeigler-Royalton

Southern Illinois River-to-River Ohio Division

1.   Murphysboro

2.  Harrisburg

3,  Benton 

4.  Massac County

5.  West Frankfort 

6.  Herrin

Greater Egyptian

1,  Gallatin County

2.  Thompsonville 

3.  Hardin County

4.  Pope County

5,  Crab Orchard

6.  Galatia

7.  Norris City Omaha-Enfield

8.  Carrier Mills

Christopher Turkey Tourney

Champion:  Webber Township

Runner up:  Christopher 

Third Place:  Thompsonville 

Fourth Place:  NCOE

Consolation Champion:  New Athens

Sixth Place:  Wayne City

Seventh Place:  Zeigler-Royalton 

Eighth Place:  Waltonville

I encourage you to get on social media, agree, disagree, or throw me under the bus even.

 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher 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

Black Diamond announces Football All Conference Team

November 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Players of the Year

MVP – Jacob Traxler – Eldorado

Offensive Captain – Bryce Jones – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

Defensive Captain – Lance Jolly – Fairfield

​

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB – Clayton Smith – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

SKILL – Colten Yates – Carmi-White Co.

SKILL – Calvin Clendenin – Chester

SKILL – Dylan Hefner – Fairfield

SKILL – Jayden Lewis – Fairfield

SKILL – Luca Gualdoni – Johnston City

SKILL – Jacob Traxler – Eldorado

SKILL – Eli Gunter – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

SKILL – Lukas Gunter – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

OL – Bryce Jones – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

OL – Alex Hunsinger – Carmi-White Co.

OL – Jacob Simpson – Fairfield

OL – Nathan Foss – Vienna-Goreville

OL – Kyle Worley – Eldorado

K – Luca Gualdoni – Johnston City

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Braden Attebury – Eldorado

DL – Theron Stewart – Fairfield

DL – Dawson Metten – Eldorado

DL – Grant Tobin – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

DL – Mitchell Nelson – Carmi-White Co.

LB – Hunter Adams – Hamilton Co.

LB – Lance Jolly – Fairfield

LB – Peyton Rock – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

LB – Wyatt Weinbrecht – Carmi-White Co.

LB – Wyatt Roth – Chester

DB – Jaxson Crnovich – Fairfield

DB – Skylar Gray – Fairfield

DB – Nolan Dahnke – Vienna-Goreville

DB – Joe Mayberry – Eldorado

DB – Tyler Thompson – Carmi-White Co.

P – Luca Gualdoni – Johnston City

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB – Nick Meyer – Chester

SKILL – Bryce Northcott – Carmi-White Co.

SKILL – Payton Massey – Vienna-Goreville

SKILL – Cade Rivers – Edwards Co.

SKILL – Waylon Webb – Hamilton Co.

SKILL – Kobi Dagg – Fairfield

OL – Bryce Lane – Fairfield

OL – Brody Conley – Vienna-Goreville

OL – Justin Mace – Eldorado

OL – Addison Page – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

OL – Cole Carter – Carmi-White Co.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Ethan Debose – Eldorado

DL – Trenton Kittinger – Carmi-White Co.

DL – Brady Kelkhoff – Chester

DL – Hunter Mabrey – Edwards Co.

LB – Josh Gunter – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

LB – Nick Heffernan – Chester

LB – Aiden Kuhn – Vienna-Goreville

LB – Johnny Steed – Johnston City

DB – Reed Basso – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

DB – Justin Lamp – Carmi-White Co.

DB – Wyatt Gilbert – Fairfield

HONORABLE MENTION
Caleb Champan – Hamilton Co.

Thomas Combs – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

Hunter Creamer – Johnston City

Jacob Ferguson – Carmi-White Co.

Logan Frassato – Vienna-Goreville

Braden Grimes – Edwards Co.

Houston Hall – Johnston City

Jace Jenkins – Eldorado

Kadin Kiselewski – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn

Reese Lee – Fairfield

Darrick Leiser – Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton

Austin Lemmons – Hamilton Co.

Ethan Mahon – Carmi-White Co.

Curt Meyer – Chester

Lincoln Moore – Edwards Co.

Gabriel Motsinger – Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton

Kale Oglesby – Eldorado

Bryce Pratt – Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton

Ethan Rice – Vienna-Goreville

Martin Schmittler – Edwards Co.

Logan Trent – Fairfield

Garrett Walker – Chester

​

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Devils host Greenville Saturday at 1:00 p.m

October 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Full 1A-5A brackets…..local teams are in bold

Class 1A

Game 1 — #16 Toulon (Stark County) (5-4) at #1 Lena (L.-Winslow) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 2 — #9 Abingdon (A.-Avon) (7-2) at #8 Milledgeville (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 3 — #13 Cuba [North Fulton Coop] (6-3) at #4 Stockton (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 4 — #12 Fisher (6-3) at #5 Freeport (Aquin) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 5 — #15 Orangeville (5-4) vs. #2 Kewanee (Wethersfield) [A.-Wethersfield Coop] (8-1) at Kewanee (Wethersfield) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 6 — #10 Princeville (7-2) at #7 Dakota (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 7 — #14 Catlin (Salt Fork) (5-4) at #3 Forreston (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:30 pm

Game 8 — #11 Fulton (H.S.) (6-3) at #6 Ottawa (Marquette) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 9 — #16 Chester (5-4) at #1 Tuscola (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 4:00 pm

Game 10 — #9 Mt. Sterling (Brown County) (7-2) at #8 Arcola (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 11 — #13 Madison (6-3) at #4 Carrollton (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 12 — #12 Hardin (Calhoun) [Coop] (6-3) at #5 Camp Point (Central) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 13 — #15 Pleasant Hill [Coop] (5-4) at #2 Bridgeport (Red Hill) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 14 — #10 Toledo (Cumberland) (7-2) vs. #7 Decatur (D. Lutheran) [Coop] (7-2) at Decatur (D. Lutheran) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 15 — #14 Moweaqua (Central A & M) (5-4) at #3 Argenta (A.-Oreana) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 16 — #11 Warrensburg (W.-Latham) (6-3) at #6 Athens (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Class 2A

Game 1 — #16 Aurora (A. Christian) (5-4) at #1 Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 7:00 pm

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Orr) (7-2) vs. #8 Chicago (C. Hope Academy) (7-2) at Chicago (Altgeld Park) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 3 — #13 Rockford (R. Christian) (5-4) at #4 Orion (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 4 — #12 Aledo (Mercer County) (5-4) at #5 Clifton (Central) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 5 — #15 Lanark (Eastland) [E.-Pearl City Coop] (5-4) at #2 Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 6 — #10 Savanna (West Carroll) (6-3) at #7 Minonk (Fieldcrest) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 7 — #14 El Paso (E.P.-Gridley) (5-4) at #3 Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 8 — #11 Chicago (Marshall) (6-3) at #6 Knoxville (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 9 — #16 Auburn (5-4) vs. #1 Hamilton [West Hancock Coop] (9-0) at Warsaw (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:30 pm

Game 10 — #9 Carmi (C.-White County) (6-3) at #8 Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin) (6-3) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 11 — #13 Carthage (Illini West) (6-3) at #4 Maroa (M.-Forsyth) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 12 — #12 Red Bud (6-3) at #5 Eldorado (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 13 — #15 Mackinaw (Deer Creek-M.) (5-4) at #2 Westville (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 14 — #10 Carlyle (6-3) vs. #7 Sciota (West Prairie) [Bushnell-West Prairie Coop] (7-2) at Sciota (West Prairie) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:30 pm

Game 15 — #14 Bunker Hill [Coop] (5-4) at #3 Downs (Tri-Valley) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:00 pm

Game 16 — #11 Villa Grove [V.G.-Heritage Coop] (6-3) at #6 Shelbyville (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Class 3A

Game 1 — #16 Winnebago (6-3) at #1 Farmington (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 2 — #9 Elmwood [E.-Brimfield Coop] (7-2) at #8 Wilmington (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 6:00 pm

Game 3 — #13 Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda) (6-3) at #4 Peotone (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 4 — #12 Watseka [Coop] (7-2) at #5 Elmhurst (IC Catholic) (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 5 — #15 Spring Valley (Hall) (6-3) at #2 Williamsville (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 6 — #10 Beardstown (7-2) at #7 Bloomington (Central Catholic) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 7 — #14 Eureka (6-3) at #3 Byron (9-0) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:30 pm

Game 8 — #11 Poplar Grove (North Boone) (7-2) at #6 Monticello (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 9 — #16 Pleasant Plains (6-3) at #1 Trenton (Wesclin) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 10 — #9 Alton (Marquette) (8-1) at #8 Newton (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 11 — #13 Marshall (6-3) at #4 Decatur (St. Teresa) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 12 — #12 Wood River (East Alton-W.R.) (7-2) at #5 Carlinville (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 13 — #15 Vandalia (6-3) at #2 Fairfield (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 14 — #10 Greenville (7-2) vs. #7 Sesser (S.-Valier) [Coop] (8-1) at Sesser (S.-Valier) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 15 — #14 Hillsboro (6-3) at #3 Anna (A.-Jonesboro) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 16 — #11 DuQuoin (H.S.) (7-2) at #6 Pana (H.S.) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Class 4A

Game 1 — #16 Chicago (Urban Prep/Englewood) (5-4) at #1 Johnsburg (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 6:00 pm

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Agricultural Science) (6-3) at #8 Rochelle (6-3) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 3 — #13 Norridge (Ridgewood) (6-3) vs. #4 Chicago (Sullivan) (8-1) at Chicago (Lane Stadium) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:30 pm

Game 4 — #12 Kewanee (H.S.) (6-3) at #5 Morris (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 5 — #15 Rock Island (Alleman) (5-4) vs. #2 Chicago (Raby) (8-1) at Chicago (Hanson Stadium) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 6 — #10 Richmond (R.-Burton) (6-3) vs. #7 Chicago (Urban Prep/Bronzeville) (7-2) at Chicago (Gately Stadium) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 7:00 pm

Game 7 — #14 Geneseo (5-4) at #3 Dixon (H.S.) (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 8 — #11 Elmwood Park (6-3) at #6 Genoa (G.-Kingston) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 9 — #16 Fairbury (Prairie Central) (5-4) at #1 Rochester (9-0) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 10 — #9 Carterville (7-2) at #8 Belleville (Althoff Catholic) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 11 — #13 Paris (6-3) at #4 Herrin (H.S.) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 12 — #12 Pontiac (6-3) at #5 Tolono (Unity) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:30 pm

Game 13 — #15 Quincy (Notre Dame) (5-4) at #2 Highland (9-0) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 14 — #10 Manteno (6-3) at #7 Effingham (H.S.) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 15 — #14 Columbia (5-4) at #3 Herscher (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 16 — #11 Coal City (6-3) at #6 Taylorville (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:00 pm

Class 5A

Game 1 — #16 Chicago (Morgan Park) (5-4) vs. #1 Chicago (Phillips) (9-0) at Chicago (Gately Stadium) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:00 pm

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Solorio Academy) (7-2) at #8 Chicago (Back of the Yards) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 3 — #13 Woodstock (North) (5-4) at #4 Lemont (H.S.) (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 4 — #12 Chicago (Westinghouse) (5-4) at #5 Lake Villa (Lakes) (8-1) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 5:00 pm

Game 5 — #15 Arlington Heights (St. Viator) (5-4) at #2 Sterling (H.S.) (9-0) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00 pm

Game 6 — #10 Maple Park (Kaneland) (6-3) at #7 Chicago (Lindblom) (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 4:00 pm

Game 7 — #14 Woodstock (Marian) (5-4) at #3 Antioch (9-0) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 8 — #11 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South) (5-4) vs. #6 Chicago (Payton) (8-1) at Lane Stadium (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 7:15 pm

Game 9 — #16 Streator (Twp.) (5-4) at #1 Dunlap (9-0) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:30 pm

Game 10 — #9 Marion (H.S.) (6-3) at #8 Olympia Fields (Rich Central) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 11 — #13 Peoria (H.S.) (6-3) at #4 Country Club Hills (Hillcrest) (7-2) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm

Game 12 — #12 Mahomet (M.-Seymour) (6-3) at #5 Chatham (Glenwood) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:00 pm

Game 13 — #15 Peoria (Richwoods) (5-4) at #2 Troy (Triad) (8-1) (map), Fri., Oct. 27, 7:30 pm

Game 14 — #10 Morton (6-3) at #7 Centralia (H.S.) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 2:00 pm

Game 15 — #14 Tinley Park (H.S.) (5-4) at #3 Washington (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:00 pm

Game 16 — #11 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-3) at #6 Decatur (MacArthur) (7-2) (map), Sat., Oct. 28, 3:00 pm

 

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

Devils draw the Greenville Comets

October 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

I am finally able to get on the IHSA website.  Here are the full pairings for Class 1A-5A.  Local teams will be in bold.  Throughout the week, I will try to preview every playoff game involving River to River and Black Diamond schools.

There could be a battle at the Train Yard II on Week 11.

Class 1A

Game 1 — #16 Toulon (Stark County) (5-4) at #1 Lena (L.-Winslow) (9-0), TBA

Game 2 — #9 Abingdon (A.-Avon) (7-2) at #8 Milledgeville (7-2), TBA

Game 3 — #13 Cuba [North Fulton Coop] (6-3) at #4 Stockton (7-2), TBA

Game 4 — #12 Fisher (6-3) at #5 Freeport (Aquin) (7-2), TBA

Game 5 — #15 Orangeville (5-4) at #2 Kewanee (Wethersfield) [A.-Wethersfield Coop] (8-1), TBA

Game 6 — #10 Princeville (7-2) at #7 Dakota (7-2), TBA

Game 7 — #14 Catlin (Salt Fork) (5-4) at #3 Forreston (8-1), TBA

Game 8 — #11 Fulton (H.S.) (6-3) at #6 Ottawa (Marquette) (7-2), TBA

Game 9 — #16 Chester (5-4) at #1 Tuscola (9-0), TBA

Game 10 — #9 Mt. Sterling (Brown County) (7-2) at #8 Arcola (7-2), TBA

Game 11 — #13 Madison (6-3) at #4 Carrollton (8-1), TBA

Game 12 — #12 Hardin (Calhoun) [Coop] (6-3) at #5 Camp Point (Central) (7-2), TBA

Game 13 — #15 Pleasant Hill [Coop] (5-4) at #2 Bridgeport (Red Hill) (9-0), TBA

Game 14 — #10 Toledo (Cumberland) (7-2) at #7 Decatur (D. Lutheran) [Coop] (7-2), TBA

Game 15 — #14 Moweaqua (Central A & M) (5-4) at #3 Argenta (A.-Oreana) (8-1), TBA

Game 16 — #11 Warrensburg (W.-Latham) (6-3) at #6 Athens (7-2), TBA

Class 2A

Game 1 — #16 Aurora (A. Christian) (5-4) at #1 Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) (9-0), TBA

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Orr) (7-2) at #8 Chicago (C. Hope Academy) (7-2), TBA

Game 3 — #13 Rockford (R. Christian) (5-4) at #4 Orion (7-2), TBA

Game 4 — #12 Aledo (Mercer County) (5-4) at #5 Clifton (Central) (7-2), TBA

Game 5 — #15 Lanark (Eastland) [E.-Pearl City Coop] (5-4) at #2 Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley) (9-0), TBA

Game 6 — #10 Savanna (West Carroll) (6-3) at #7 Minonk (Fieldcrest) (7-2), TBA

Game 7 — #14 El Paso (E.P.-Gridley) (5-4) at #3 Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) (8-1), TBA

Game 8 — #11 Chicago (Marshall) (6-3) at #6 Knoxville (7-2), TBA

Game 9 — #16 Auburn (5-4) at #1 Hamilton [West Hancock Coop] (9-0), TBA

Game 10 — #9 Carmi (C.-White County) (6-3) at #8 Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin) (6-3), TBA

Game 11 — #13 Carthage (Illini West) (6-3) at #4 Maroa (M.-Forsyth) (8-1), TBA

Game 12 — #12 Red Bud (6-3) at #5 Eldorado (7-2), TBA

Game 13 — #15 Mackinaw (Deer Creek-M.) (5-4) at #2 Westville (9-0), TBA

Game 14 — #10 Carlyle (6-3) at #7 Sciota (West Prairie) [Bushnell-West Prairie Coop] (7-2), TBA

Game 15 — #14 Bunker Hill [Coop] (5-4) at #3 Downs (Tri-Valley) (8-1), TBA

Game 16 — #11 Villa Grove [V.G.-Heritage Coop] (6-3) at #6 Shelbyville (7-2), TBA

Class 3A

Game 1 — #16 Winnebago (6-3) at #1 Farmington (9-0), TBA

Game 2 — #9 Elmwood [E.-Brimfield Coop] (7-2) at #8 Wilmington (8-1), TBA

Game 3 — #13 Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda) (6-3) at #4 Peotone (8-1), TBA

Game 4 — #12 Watseka [Coop] (7-2) at #5 Elmhurst (IC Catholic) (8-1), TBA

Game 5 — #15 Spring Valley (Hall) (6-3) at #2 Williamsville (9-0), TBA

Game 6 — #10 Beardstown (7-2) at #7 Bloomington (Central Catholic) (8-1), TBA

Game 7 — #14 Eureka (6-3) at #3 Byron (9-0), TBA

Game 8 — #11 Poplar Grove (North Boone) (7-2) at #6 Monticello (8-1), TBA

Game 9 — #16 Pleasant Plains (6-3) at #1 Trenton (Wesclin) (9-0), TBA

Game 10 — #9 Alton (Marquette) (8-1) at #8 Newton (8-1), TBA

Game 11 — #13 Marshall (6-3) at #4 Decatur (St. Teresa) (8-1), TBA

Game 12 — #12 Wood River (East Alton-W.R.) (7-2) at #5 Carlinville (8-1), TBA

Game 13 — #15 Vandalia (6-3) at #2 Fairfield (9-0), TBA

Game 14 — #10 Greenville (7-2) at #7 Sesser (S.-Valier) [Coop] (8-1), TBA

Game 15 — #14 Hillsboro (6-3) at #3 Anna (A.-Jonesboro) (9-0), TBA

Game 16 — #11 DuQuoin (H.S.) (7-2) at #6 Pana (H.S.) (8-1), TBA

Class 4A

Game 1 — #16 Chicago (Urban Prep/Englewood) (5-4) at #1 Johnsburg (9-0), TBA

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Agricultural Science) (6-3) at #8 Rochelle (6-3), TBA

Game 3 — #13 Norridge (Ridgewood) (6-3) vs. #4 Chicago (Sullivan) (8-1) at TBA, TBA

Game 4 — #12 Kewanee (H.S.) (6-3) at #5 Morris (7-2), TBA

Game 5 — #15 Rock Island (Alleman) (5-4) vs. #2 Chicago (Raby) (8-1) at TBA, TBA

Game 6 — #10 Richmond (R.-Burton) (6-3) vs. #7 Chicago (Urban Prep/Bronzeville) (7-2) at TBA, TBA

Game 7 — #14 Geneseo (5-4) at #3 Dixon (H.S.) (8-1), TBA

Game 8 — #11 Elmwood Park (6-3) at #6 Genoa (G.-Kingston) (7-2), TBA

Game 9 — #16 Fairbury (Prairie Central) (5-4) at #1 Rochester (9-0), TBA

Game 10 — #9 Carterville (7-2) at #8 Belleville (Althoff Catholic) (8-1), TBA

Game 11 — #13 Paris (6-3) at #4 Herrin (H.S.) (8-1), TBA

Game 12 — #12 Pontiac (6-3) at #5 Tolono (Unity) (8-1), TBA

Game 13 — #15 Quincy (Notre Dame) (5-4) at #2 Highland (9-0), TBA

Game 14 — #10 Manteno (6-3) at #7 Effingham (H.S.) (8-1), TBA

Game 15 — #14 Columbia (5-4) at #3 Herscher (8-1), TBA

Game 16 — #11 Coal City (6-3) at #6 Taylorville (8-1), TBA

Class 5A

Game 1 — #16 Chicago (Morgan Park) (5-4) vs. #1 Chicago (Phillips) (9-0) at TBA, TBA

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Solorio Academy) (7-2) vs. #8 Chicago (Back of the Yards) (8-1) at TBA, TBA

Game 3 — #13 Woodstock (North) (5-4) at #4 Lemont (H.S.) (8-1), TBA

Game 4 — #12 Chicago (Westinghouse) (5-4) at #5 Lake Villa (Lakes) (8-1), TBA

Game 5 — #15 Arlington Heights (St. Viator) (5-4) at #2 Sterling (H.S.) (9-0), TBA

Game 6 — #10 Maple Park (Kaneland) (6-3) vs. #7 Chicago (Lindblom) (8-1) at TBA, TBA

Game 7 — #14 Woodstock (Marian) (5-4) at #3 Antioch (9-0), TBA

Game 8 — #11 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South) (5-4) vs. #6 Chicago (Payton) (8-1) at TBA, TBA

Game 9 — #16 Streator (Twp.) (5-4) at #1 Dunlap (9-0), TBA

Game 10 — #9 Marion (H.S.) (6-3) at #8 Olympia Fields (Rich Central) (7-2), TBA

Game 11 — #13 Peoria (H.S.) (6-3) at #4 Country Club Hills (Hillcrest) (7-2), TBA

Game 12 — #12 Mahomet (M.-Seymour) (6-3) at #5 Chatham (Glenwood) (7-2), TBA

Game 13 — #15 Peoria (Richwoods) (5-4) at #2 Troy (Triad) (8-1), TBA

Game 14 — #10 Morton (6-3) at #7 Centralia (H.S.) (7-2), TBA

Game 15 — #14 Tinley Park (H.S.) (5-4) at #3 Washington (7-2), TBA

Game 16 — #11 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-3) at #6 Decatur (MacArthur) (7-2), TBA

 

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

Teams that will be going south in 3A

October 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

I have made a lot of chicken scratches over the last few days trying to figure out who is in let alone where.  That will come to pass in the next few hours.

With West Frankfort and Harrisburg being upset last night,  created a lot of shifts in the playoff map.

I just talked to Kyle Peach, the voice of the Mt. Carmel Golden Aces, as well at the voice of the Evansville Purple Aces on ESPN- 3.  Mt. Carmel was already out.  The playoffs started in Indiana last night.  I was wondering what the formula was since they play in the Big 8, and all Indiana conference.

For future reference, Mt. Carmel gets playoff points one week before the season starts, as they start a week earlier in the Hoosier State.

There will be a lot riding on the Vienna-Goreville vs. Carmi White County game this afternoon.  If the Eagles win, it could mean another Southern Illinois team in.  They are also riding the fence as being the largest 3A school with a 548 football enrollment.  If they win they might be 4A.  However, with the number crunching I feel they will be 3A.

It will be known tonight where the SVWW Devils will be placed. (Red Devil Booster Club Photo)

With the S-V-W-W Red Devils definitely in,  I went down and broke down 3A.  The teams listed use the I-72 corridor as the dividing line.  There could be teams sent south, that could be around I-74, with a 309 zip code.

The following are the teams that I feel that are definitely in the southern bracket in 3A.  There are 14.  If V-G wins today it will be 15.

In a Black Diamond note, it looks like Chester will be bumped to 2A.

The list will be by seed, record, playoff points, conference they play in, last night’s game, and a few comments.

1.  Fairfield– (9-0) 36 points, Black Diamond, Defeated Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn 18-6.  The Mules are a classic Justin Townsend coached team.  They pound it on the ground and hit very hard.  It would awesome to see them and A-J meet in the semi finals

2.  Anna-Jonesboro (9-0) 31 points, Southern Illinois River to River, Mississippi Division, Defeated Benton 62-28.  The explosiveness of Hart and Turner has been well documented throughout this season.

3.  Decatur St. Teresa (8-1) 43 points, Central Illinois Conference, Defeated Shelbyville 28-20.  The Bulldogs have played a basically 1A schedule.  I don’t know much about the area, but it could be a soft high seed.

4.  Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn (8-1) 37 points, Black Diamond, Lost to Fairfield 18-6.  There will be a game at Carroll Kelly Field next Satudray.  Who?  We will know in a few hours.

4.   Carlinville (8-1) 37 points, South Central.  Lost to Greenville 35-28.  The South Central is a conference that runs the I-55 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield.  The conference will be well represented in 2A.

6.  Newton (8-1) 35 points, Little Illini.  Beat Jeremy Clodfelter’s Paris Tigers, 45-35.  The Little Illini was a closed conference until Edwards County joined the Black Diamond.  It is a 1A to a 4A conference.

7.  Alton Marquette (8-1) 33 points, Prairie State.  Defeated Kinkaid South Fork 42-0  The Prairie State is a 2A-3A conference that follows the same corridor of the South Central.

8.  Greenville (7-2) 38 points, South Central, Defeated Carlinville 35-28.  The Comets have been a perennial powerhouse across the South Central Illinois region for years.

9.  DuQuoin (7-2) 35 points, Southern Illinios River-to-River, Mississippi Division.  Defeated Muprhysboro, 41-21.  The Indians have been bumped up to 3A in the last couple of outlooks by the IHSA.  There still could be a small chance they make the 14 mile trip to Sesser.

10 East Alton-Wood River (7-2) 34 points,  Prairie State.  Defeated Bunker Hill 32-14.  There will be a lot of 7-2 teams that will be on the road during Week 1.  They could also be a potential first round opponent for the Devils.

11.  Marshall (6-3) 39 points, Little Illini.  Defeated Lawrenceville 53-6.  Marshall, near Terre Haute, IN is one of those teams that are always in the playoffs.  They could go north, but I do not see it.

11.  Hillsboro (6-3)  39 Points.  South Central.  Defeated Litchfield 48-0.  This time of year, it seems like Hillsboro either comes south or someone heads up there to face them.

11.  Vandalia (6-3) 39 Points.  South Central.  Lost in a basketball game to Pana. 63-55.  It seems like it is going to be the the South Central Conference Tournament.  Even though I am showing them even, the Vandals get the tie breaker defeating Hillsboro in Week 12.

11.  Pleasant Plains  (6-3)  Sangamo, Defeated Petersburg PORTA 42-12.  This is a Springfield area conference.  I definitely see them going south.

On the bubble between North and South.  I believe there will be one 8-1 team that will be in the 3A bracket down here.  If Tolono Unity is 4A, the IHSA will send Monticello this way.  If both are 3A there will be one of the teams sent this way.  Prairie Central 5-4 could be sent out of this conference.  Beardstown 7-2 could also be sent.

We will all know at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

West Frankfort will not make the playoffs, Benton has a very slim chance of getting in

October 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

I was holding the antenna out the window to pick up WFRX in the last few minutes of the game tonight.  I was heartbroken.  I might get ran out of West Frankfort for saying this, I am,  heartbroken for whom the late Bruce A. Fasol used to refer to as, the team six miles to the north.”

The Redbirds picked up playoff points from Nashville, A-J, and Herrin, which has them at 33.  It was known they had to pick up a win to get in.

The Rangers are sitting at 36 points.  They picked up three points as well from Carterville, Herrin, and AJ.  They needed a lot of help.  I was looking good in the “early returns.”   Murphy was hanging around with DuQuoin.  Harrisburg was beating Carbondale, and the Redbirds lost a heart-breaker.

Of all places, it was looking possible that both Benton and WF might get a point from Pinckneyville.  The Panthers were tied with Carlyle at halftime.

One win between Pinckneyville and Sparta really hurt both the Redbirds and the Rangers getting at large bids at 5-4.

I will be writing two stories in the morning.  I will be writing a season in review for the Redbirds, as well as the C-Z-R Bearcats.

I will also be writing an extensive breakdown for what could take place around 8:00 p.m. when the playoff parings are announced.  I will mainly focus on Class 3A.  There is one team that is for sure alive, the S-V-W-W Red Devils, who suffered their first loss tonight to the Fairfield Mules.

For what was supposed to be a rebuilding year in West Frankfort, the Redbirds were 15 seconds away from making the playoffs.  Even though the results were not what we wanted tonight, it is a great day to be a Redbird.

 

 

 

 

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

Playoff probabilities for S-V-W-W, West Frankfort, and Benton

October 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

First of all we need to continue prayers for Zeigler-Royalton head basketball coach Matt Morgan, who suffered a heart attack this evening.  He is resting comfortably in an area hospital.  Lets pray for a speedy recovery and that he will be back on the sidelines at the Christopher Turkey Tournament.

In something that I have been looking at being a possibility since week three,  The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils and the Fairfield Mules will be facing off against each other at the Train Yard, undefeated, with a conference title on the line.

For 3A, I was looking at the possibility of quadrants.  I found out today they were a thing of the past.  So the south will be seeded 1-16.

Going into tomorrow night’s game there are four undefeated teams in 3A from Springfield, south.  Along with the Devils and The Mules, the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats and Carlinville.

If Carlinville beats Greenville (6-2) tomorrow night, there will be a tie for the Number one and Two seed for the south half of the bracket between the winner of the Train Yard Showdown.

The Number one seed will then have the possibility of drawing Vienna-Goreville, Mt. Carmel or Harrisburg, all with 4-4 records.  If the Eagles beat Carmi-White County on Saturday, they will be in the best playoff point shape with 40.  Harrisburg is sitting at 36, as they face Carbondale.  Mt. Carmel has 33 and they face win less Mt. Vernon tomorrow night.

There is a chance that Harrisburg and V-G could be bumped up to 4A, as the cutoff line has been dropped  to 548 which is the Eagles enrollment.  Harrisburg is six below the cutoff at 542.

For West Frankfort it is as simple as this, they have to beat Nashville to get in. They are sitting at 30 playoff points, which if they beat the Hornets tomorrow night, would be the lowest 6-3 seeded team in the south.   If all the 4-4 teams do not get in and the Devils win tomorrow night, there is a very good possibility you could see the Redbirds and the Devils match up at Carroll Kelly field a week from Saturday.

I have had a gut feeling for a couple weeks that however things turn out, the Redbirds would end up facing the winner of the Train Yard battle.

If S-V-W-W would lose and the teams on the bubble at 4-4 would get in, West Frankfort still could be a possibility.  There is also an outside chance they could end up with the DuQuoin Indians.  They have been bumped up to 3A, and that could be whether they win or lose to Murphysboro.

I went local with this.  There are numerous possibilities from the Metro East.  We can start breaking them down more around 9:00 p.m.

Now onto the Rangers.  They have a task of facing an undefeated team in A-J on the road.  They are in similar but better shape than their arch enemy’s the West Frankfort Redbirds.  Win or lose the Rangers will be Redbird fans tomorrow night, for one thing, playoff points.  They will get one if WF leaves Washington County with a win.

They will be rooting for the Harrisburg Bulldogs to beat Carbondale.  They will be rooting for Murphysboro to beat DuQuoin.  Carterville vs. Massac they will get a playoff point either way.  They will also be rooting for Pinckneyville and Sparta to pull major upsets.

If they go down to A-J and lose they will be at a lot of teams mercy.  The Rangers will be in a unfamiliar role, being underdogs. However, it is a very winnable game for Benton.  It would be well worth taking the drive to Union County tomorrow night, enjoy the scenery on the way down, and watch what I would believe to be a whale of a football game.

 

 

 

 

 

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

Redbird QB Connor Eaton ….Devils RB Eli Gunter for WSIL/Banterra Player of the Week

October 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/33771417/banterra-player-of-the-week#WNPoll156998

Click on the link to vote above.  Previous winners from Franklin County are RB Madison Allen of West Frankfort, FB Peyton Rock of SVWW, and QB Hamilton Page of Benton.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports
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