WF city council expected to name new police chief, interim fire chief

February 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By Bruce A. Fasol
The West Frankfort City council meets in regular session Tuesday night and according to the agenda are expected to name a permanent police chief and an interim fire chief.
One key item is the naming of Jodi Allen as the interim fire chief. The department has been run by its highest ranking personnel since the retirement of Wes Taylor late in 2012.  Also, Shawn Talluto is expected to be confirmed as West Frankfort’s new police chief.  He has been interim chief since Jeff Tharp’s January resignation.
The council will also vote on leasing a space in their business incubator to Irwin Mine and Tunneling Supply.
No action is expected Tuesday but a rate increase for water and sewer customers will be discussed. A vote is expected at the February 26th meeting.
Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Uncategorized

Saluki Men’s Basketball to host Miami University in 2013 ESPN Bracketbusters

February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois will host Miami University of the Mid-American Conference in this year’s BracketBuster event on Feb. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.

The Redhawks are 8-12 overall and 3-5 in the MAC this season under first-year head coach John Cooper, who is a Missouri Valley Conference alum, having led the Shockers in scoring and rebounding in 1990 and 1991.

The teams have met only once before, with Miami winning in Carbondale in 1956.

Southern Illinois is 7-3 all-time in the BracketBusters event. The Salukis posted wins over Milwaukee (2003), Hawaii (2004), at Kent State (2005), at Butler (2007), Nevada (2008), Western Michigan (2010) and Green Bay (2011). The only losses were to Louisiana Tech (2006), at UIC (2009

Filed Under: College Sports, High School Sports, Junior High Sports, Uncategorized

Our Universities: $10K–B. A.

February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Walter Wendler

Those who champion the $10,000 bachelor’s degree want the imitation to equal the real thing.  It is not that the imitation is without value, and surely a real B.A. incorporates too much waste, but neither is justification for the equalization of two fundamentally different human experiences.
“The belief that obtaining a college degree is the only way for young people to find good employment and enjoy a prosperous life is widespread, but mistaken. Having a college degree is neither necessary nor sufficient for success.”
George C. Leef — The John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy ___________________________________________________________________
Last week, my friend Alan sent me a note with a referral to a New York Times Op Ed, My Valuable, Cheap College Degree, posted January 31, 2013, by Arthur C. Brooks. He is president of the American Enterprise Institute and provides an interesting portrait of the rising cost of university attendance: up 18 percent in five years in comparison to a 7 percent drop in inflation-adjusted household income over the same five-year period.  The cost increase for university attendance is twice that in healthcare costs over the past 25 years, says he.

Walter Wendler mug 2Federally backed loans to all who come calling, regardless of societal need or individual ability, has escalated the cost of university attendance. Emblematic of a broken marketplace at work, “cheap degrees” are supported by a fretwork of manufactured demand, deceptively developed desire, and taxpayer subsidies warped into wicked wizardry creating high demand, high cost — $10K is not a paltry sum —  and often, low value results.
Now, I like the American Enterprise Institute. It stirs my soul and my love of free enterprise. In this case however, Mr. Brooks is all wet and Mr. Leef’s comment, “Having a college degree is neither necessary nor sufficient for success.” is a tall tree.

Brooks argues that his $10K—B.A. earned from Thomas Edison State College in 1994, “… was the most important intellectual and career move I ever made.”  And leaps:  it is equivalent to a brick and mortar B.A. This is akin to Abraham Lincoln arguing that everyone should study the law by candlelight in a log cabin because he did.  It would have been a good idea for Mr. Brooks to take a statistics class on-line or on-campus to better understand the power of inference from a sample of one.

Technological support for learning will positively change the experience for the pervasive access to insight and knowledge at the touch of a button: most of it roboticallymanaged with human support, and amortized over so many users that the cost approaches zero at the speed of light.
Mr. Brooks’ parents recall his “gap decade” as a musician, concluded in Spain on a nearly nonexistent bank account. I would argue, and if Mr. Brooks were transparent he would agree, that “the musician decade” was a lived experience that changed his life. I would not suggest that this experience could or should be codified at a university. But, writing off the cost of Atlantic passage and 10 years of lost-opportunity-cost into the $10K—B.A. changes the tab significantly, in time and money nearing or eclipsing the price of a Harvard B.A.

The lived experience is part of the educational process. Can a person become successful with a low-cost, zero-cost bachelor’s degree or no bachelor’s degree at all? Absolutely!  Great innovators and thinkers have made stunning contributions with no formal education. However, it does not follow that a university experience is hollow, although far too many are shallow.

Professional educators in places like Syracuse, where Mr. Brooks worked and earned tenure, would believe a $10,000 educational investment might have great value.   But to equate that with a campus B.A. is creating a straw man.  Memorializing the experience with “certification” is perfect.  But, “Is it live, or is it Memorex?” should never be a question.

The concept that the mirage of an experience is equivalent to the experience itself is antithetical to American capitalism and the free market Mr. Brooks and I cherish, especially when government subsidies are involved — which is the case in 99% of post-secondary education: public, private, and for-profit.

Yes, our universities need to change. They are archaic in many ways, bastions of patronage, fat administrative structures, bloated union leadership, political correctness, athletics programs that resemble professional franchises, and coffee houses that belong on the upper west side. These accoutrements might not support the university mission. The $10K–B.A. as the cure-all for of our nation’s ills is likewise a contrivance.
I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Brooks’ assertion that “…the case for the $10K–BA is primarily moral not financial.” But the most worrisome immorality lays in equating an online $10K–B.A. with a B.A. from a time-tested university. That is a mortal sin, not an ill-defined moral imperative.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. showed more wisdom and insight than a legion of contemporary pundits and educational leaders when, as a student, he penned these words in the Morehouse College paper, The Maroon Tiger, in 1947: “Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”  Encourage education, not mere certification.

Filed Under: Columns, Franklin Co. News, Opinion, Uncategorized

Early morning ramblings on girl’s basketball, a scoring machine named Tyra and other assorted tidbits

February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Girls basketball has center stage this week as February Fever sweeps the state. Here are a few rambling thoughts, observations and tidbits.

The Goreville Lady Blackcats are in a class by themselves in Class 1A basketball here in Southern Illinois. Coach Mike Helton’s team rolled into post season with a 26-1 overall record – the lone loss coming to unbeaten Mt. Carmel in the title game of the Eldorado Girl’s Midwinter Tournament.

Goreville should cruise through the Gallatin County regional and then head back home to host its own sectional next week. The regionals feeding into the Goreville sectional include Cobden (Cairo is the No. 1 seed and Cobden No. 2), Elverado (Wayne City is the No. 1 seed and Galatia is the No. 2) and Edwards County (Brookport Red Hill is the No. 1 seed and Louisville North Clay is No. 2).

Barring a major upset Goreville will cruise into the Salem Super Sectional where a possible match up with perennial girl’s powerhouse Cowden-Herrick (No. 1 seed in the Farina South Central regional) could be looming.

Goreville has the talent and experience to bring home the big trophy from Redbird Arena in Normal.

— 0 —

The Zeigler-Royalton Regional Class 2A girl’s regional provides a great example that maybe a sectional complex is needed to make sure that one regional doesn’t get stacked while others are a little lacking on talented teams.

Three teams with 20-win seasons (Nashville, Benton and Sesser-Valier-Waltonville) ended up at Zeigler-Royalton, which of course means that two of those teams will be home next week when sectional tournament play begins.

The winner at Z-R will advance to the Dupo Sectional to face the winner of the Breese Central Regional where the host school is the No. 1 seed and Carlyle is a No. 2 seed. The Campbell Hill (Trico) regional winner (Red Bud is the No. 1 seed and Pinckneyville is No. 2) and the Anna-Jonesboro Regional winner (Vienna is the No. 1 seed and Cartervilel is No. 2) also feed into Dupo.

Speaking only about this year, the brackets certainly favor the A-J Regional and the Trico Regional who will have a much less difficult task of making it to the sectional championship game. Let me explain. After battling through the Z-R Regional either Nashville or SVW will face a very tough match up against either Breese Central or Carlyle (I think it will be Breese Central). So, in short it’s a tall task to come through the Z-R Regional and then get a very tough match up in the first round of sectional play.

Coaches do the seeding of regional tournaments and brackets are determined by the seeding, so that’s a fair process. Determining how the regional tournaments are paired into brackets is done by a blind draw so that just boils down to luck. However, loading a regional with three 20-game winners could be avoided. Just something for the good folks in Bloomington at the IHSA office to consider.

— 0 —

46 points in 18 minutes.

That’s a lot of points for a basketball team (boys or girls) to put on the board in a high school basketball game. Think of how many games you seen this year and now think of it like this: with six minutes to go in the third quarter how many times has a team had 46 points two minutes past halftime? I bet there are only a handful of games (maybe none) where either team had 46 points.

Well, that’s what Mt. Carmel’s Tyra Buss did on Wednesday night in an 85-36 victory over Hamilton County.

Buss lit the Lady Foxes up for 41 in the first half and then scored five points and played only two minutes into the third quarter before heading to the bench for the rest of the night with 46 points in 18 minutes. Mt. Carmel will face Harrisburg, a two-point winner over Eldorado, in the title game tonight.

Buss just recently became the fastest player (boy or girl) to reach the 3,000 point scoring plateau in Illinois’ illustrious basketball history – and she is just a junior. Currently she has scored 3,288 points in her career – 1,162 this season. She is only 41 points from breaking the all-time Illinois high school single season scoring record of 1,202 points held by Brittany Johnson, of Olney. At the pace she is on she will shatter the state’s all time scoring record of 4,031, also held by Johnson (2003-07). She is currently only 743 points away.

Tyra Buss

Tyra Buss

And keep in mind that Buss has seen every gimmick defense imaginable as coaches try to find ways to slow her down. I had Mt. Carmel girl’s coach Tim Willis on my Saturday show a few weeks ago and he talked about the defenses that pop up virtually every game. He told about one coach who played a ‘triangle-and-two’ defense with the ‘two’ players not in the triangle zone guarding Buss.

“I’ve been around basketball a long time and have never seen that,” Willis told me.

Buss was at Rich Herrin Gym on Saturday for the Rich Herrin Classic when the Mt. Carmel boy’s team played Johnston City. Her brother Tyler Buss is the head coach of the Golden Aces. I broadcast all six games at the RH Classic and was approached by a couple of people about interviewing Tyra. I said ‘sure’ and at halftime of the second game we chatted on air for about five minutes.

I have seen her play only once, and that was last year when she was a sophomore but have followed her career. My first reaction as she made her way to the press booth was how small she is. My comment later, ‘she wouldn’t weigh 90 pounds with a wet field jacket on.’

The interview turned out to be one of the highlights of a long day at Rich Herrin Gym. I found Tyra to be personable, articulate and certainly well-grounded. The one answer that sort of surprised me was when I asked her what she does to ‘get away from basketball.”

“I never get away from basketball, I play every day year-around,” she said matter-of-factly. “I play a couple of other sports but I always find time for basketball.”

I also found it impressive that she wanted to talk more about her teammates than herself.

After hearing about the 41 point half and the 46 points in 18 minutes I called my friend Tom Maulding from McLeansboro. Tom does play-by-play for Hamilton County sports on WISH-FM and was at the game. He said he has seen Buss play eight or 10 times and really wasn’t surprised by the scoring outburst.

“She is a step quicker than anybody on the floor and she scored any way she wanted to to – she drove to the basket and shot right and left handed, she shot three’s from five feet behind the line, she stole the ball and scored and every time she was fouled she knocked down the free throws,” Maulding said. “She is just amazing to watch, just phenomenal.”

Perhaps the best line of our telephone conversation was when Maulding talked about the title game between Mt. Carmel and Harrisburg.

“I’m coming back tonight for the championship game,” he said. “It’s hard not to come back when there’s a show like that in town.”

Buss will take her considerable talent to Indiana University to play basketball but that’s still far in the future – first she has the remainder of this post season and her senior year of high school.

The undefeated Mt. Carmel team (30-0) will be a heavy favorite against Harrisburg tonight and should roll into the Newton Sectional where they will face the winner of the Tuscola Regional where Pana is a No. 1 seed and Sullivan is No. 2. A lot of folks I talk with in girl’s basketball circles say that Pana could present a formidable challenge to Mt. Carmel if the two teams meet.

The winner of the Newton Sectional will meet the winner of the Dupo Sectional in the Salem Class 2A Super Sectional on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. Looking at some possible match ups … what about a Nashville-Mt. Carmel super sectional? Nashville’s lock-down defense against Mt. Carmel and their scoring machine Tyra Buss? Wouldn’t that be one for the ages?

— 0 —

 

And speaking of Nashville …

Wayne Harre has a girl’s basketball factory going in Nashville and has had for more than a decade. I had Harre as a guest on Saturday Morning Talking Sports last week and one of the stats that really jumped out at me was his overall record in the tough SIRR Mississippi Division. My sidekick Scott Mees, a reporter with the Southern Illinoisan, brought it up and it’s still sort of mind-boggling to me.

During his13 seasons as girl’s coach Harre has coached his Nashville Hornettes through 130 Mississippi Division games (10 game schedule per season) and has compiled an eye-popping record of 128-2. I think when you factor in that half those games are on the road it’s an even more incredible record.

And as an example that coaches remember the losses more than the wins, Harre recalled those two losses with clarity, as if they happened last week.

Harre’s name continues to be mentioned as a candidate for the now-vacant SIU women’s basketball job. Former coach Missy Tiber abruptly resigned a couple weeks ago and the program is a little lower than rock bottom. It would be a formidable task for any coach but certainly Harre has the resume and the record to prove that he can teach the game of basketball to young women.

From my little corner of the world I hope SIU gives him a serious look and then the job. I’m sure there are five other coaches on the SIRR Mississippi Division hoping the same thing.

— 0 —

I have broadcast Benton sports (football, basketball, baseball and softball) for two decades now and in that span have seen a lot of athletes come and go. It seems to me that the end of the season for seniors is more dramatic in basketball than any other sport.

I thought that again on Wednesday night when Sesser-Valier-Waltonville defeated Benton 58-44 in a regional semi-final. As the game was winding down and it was apparent that SVW would be the victor I thought back to four years ago when Morgan Corn, Mikala Carney, Evelyn Mendez and Brittany Pedigo made their high school debut at the varsity level. There have been many highs and a few lows since then but these four seniors stayed the course and always gave their all. It was that same old familiar feeling for me when I saw them walk off the floor for the final time.

Only one team in each class will go out a winner with a state title so the end for seniors, who in many instances will never play organized sports again, is really the end. Regional championships will be played in Class 1A and Class 2A throughout the state tonight so that same end-of-the-line feeling will be prevalent at venues across Illinois.

Here’s a suggestion to fans who attend those games not only tonight but in the days ahead as we wind down the tournament trail in both girls and boys basketball. Pay attention to those seniors as they exit the floor and give them a hand, even if it’s an opposing player. And keep in mind that those senior players have put a tremendous amount of hard work, sweat and probably a few tears into a career that just ended.

Enjoy February Fever and March Madness and thanks for taking the time to read this. God Bless You!

 

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Uncategorized

Romani appears for preliminary hearing, May 9 pre-trial hearing set

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

A May 9 pre-trial hearing has been set for Michael Romani, the 45-year-old Sesser man charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of John Franklin, also of Sesser.

During a preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon in Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Tom Tedeschi heard testimony from state police concerning the December 27, 2012 bar fight that left the left the the 56-year-old Franklin dead.

A state police investigator testified during the hearing that his investigation, which included interviews with four individuals in the bar who witnessed the incident, showed that there was a verbal exchange between the two men and that Romani left the area of the bar where he was at and struck Franklin in the face, knocking him backward off a bar stool where his head hit the floor.  Franklin never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead a short time later at Franklin Hospital from blunt force trauma to the head.  It was also reported during the preliminary hearing that Franklin suffered from a serious heart condition.

Tedeschi ruled from the evidence presented that probable cause exists that a felony was committed by Romani and set the May 9 pre-trial court date.

The involuntary manslaughter charge against Romani is a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 2-5 years in prison.  The aggravated battery charge is also a Class 3 felony and carries the same maximum sentence.  Both charges also can result in probation on the minimum end of the sentencing guideline.

The fight took place at the Bank of Sesser Lounge, located on Sesser’s business district.  The bar was closed for more than a week but has since reopened after the fatal fight.

Romani turned himself into Franklin County authorities a short time after the incident and later posted $20,000 cash bail and was released.  Romani is being represented by Drew & Drew Attorneys in Benton.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, Uncategorized

Obituary – Brenda Jean Mitchell

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Brenda Jean Mitchell, 69, of Springboro, Ohio passed away at 11:52 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in Ohio.

She was born in Thompsonville, IL on March 5, 1943, the daughter of Reuben and Margaret (Manis) Hughes.

Mrs. Mitchell was a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School.

She is survived by her husband, Carl Mitchell and daughters Carol Ney and Marilyn Mitchell-Heusner.  Also surviving are granddaughters Rachel, Heather and Kristen, grandsons Hunter and Aaron and sisters Melanie Kincaid and Merilee Jackson.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2013 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Burial will be in Mt. Etna Cemetery in Thompsonville. Visitation will be after 12 noon on Sunday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

 

 

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

C.W. “Chuck” Hamilton announces his bid for JALC board trustee

February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Carterville — Chuck Hamilton is announcing his candidacy for the John A. Logan College board of trustees.

Chuck Hamilton

Hamilton has worked for nearly four decades in the field of education in both the public and private sectors.  His more than 37-year career spans vocational, academic, and special education experience.  Dr. Hamilton has worked in public schools at the middle and high schools levels; community colleges; and at the university level.  Hamilton’s education includes B.S. degrees in Administration of Justice and Special Education; M.S. degrees in Rehabilitation Administration and Education Administration; and a Th.D. in Theology. Hamilton is currently the Director at Tri-County Special Education Joint Agreement.

“One of the things I have learned in my career is the value of hard work and tenacity,” Hamilton  said, “I know that most candidates don’t start knocking on doors until later in the year, but I’m starting now to introduce myself to as many voters as possible.”

Hamilton plans to contact more than 5,000 Williamson, Jackson, and Perry County voters, shake as many hands as possible, make hundreds of phone calls to more than 1,000 residents, and send hundreds of personal cards to voters.

Election Day is Tuesday, April 9, 2013. You can learn more about C.W. “Chuck” Hamilton and his campaign by visiting www.facebook.com/cwhamiltonjalc.

For more information, contact C.W.”Chuck” Hamilton at (618) 967-7002.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Uncategorized

Tax Tips from H & R Block in Benton

February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

As you know, the IRS did not begin accepting individual income tax returns until January 30th. But you can come into H&R Block in Benton to prepare your taxes now. The sooner you get your taxes done, the better your chances of receiving your refund as quickly as possible.

PrintConfused about something? Here are answers to a few of the questions you’ve been asking.

I keep hearing that “e-file” won’t open until the 30th. What does that mean, exactly?

There are two ways the IRS accepts tax returns: paper file (your paper return is sent via snail mail) and through e-file (your tax return is submitted to the IRS electronically). The vast majority of taxpayers e-file — nearly all tax preparers use e-file, and many are now actually required by law to e-file. H&R Block in Benton will submit your tax return via e-file. So, what the ‘e-file opening date’ means is that the IRS did not begin processing any tax returns (no matter how you file) until January 30th.

So, how quickly will I receive my tax refund?

Since the IRS began accepting and processing tax returns on January 30th, 2013, you can expect up to 21 days for your return to be processed and your refund to be issued. Although you may have received a refund in a much quicker time frame in years past, we advise you to plan for a 21-day turnaround.

The IRS lists a few factors that affect how quickly you receive your refund:

Common errors can delay processing and extend refund timelines. Ensure your refund arrives as expected by submitting an error-free return. Use the correct Social Security or taxpayer identification numbers, address, and bank and routing numbers if electing direct deposit.

To balance taxpayer service, quick refunds and tax compliance, the IRS must review refunds to prevent fraudulent and erroneous refunds. These critical reviews can add time to refund processing, even for some legitimate tax returns.

Laurie Smith is one of the many longtime employees at H 7 R Block in Benton.

Laurie Smith is one of the many longtime employees at H 7 R Block in Benton.

The IRS balances customer service and tax compliance by reviewing tax returns to prevent fraudulent and erroneous refunds. These critical reviews could add time to refund processing, even for some legitimate returns.

The IRS may need time to fix a simple error, like a math error.

Refund timeframes can also be affected by such factors as bankruptcy, an open audit or a balance due on a related account such as a different tax year.

The IRS also periodically adjusts its technology systems during the filing season, which can also factor into short refund delays.

So what can I do now to ensure I get my refund as quickly as possible?

Come in and prepare your taxes as soon as possible. The faster you file your return, the better your chances of receiving your refund in February.
The status of your refund will be available on the IRS ‘Where’s My Refund’ page within 24 hours after the IRS has received your return. Keep in mind that calling H&R Block or the IRS will not do anything to speed the process of your receiving your refund; your best bet is to check on the IRS website for the most up-to-date information. Keep in mind that the date provided on ‘Where’s My Refund’ is not a guarantee; it may take up to five additional days for your financial institution to post the refund to your account (if you received direct deposit), or for mail delivery of a paper check.

Our offices are open for business and ready to help — and if you bring a sack of groceries for the food pantry, we will deduct $20 from your tax preparation bill. We also honor our competitor’s coupons. Call our office at 618-439-4641 to book your appointment. We are located at 101 West Main Street in Benton and are anxious to serve you!

Our office hours are 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Uncategorized

Rangerettes close out regular season with win over Casey-Westfield

February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

The Benton Rangerettes closed out the regular season on a high note Saturday in the Rich Herrin Classic with a convincing 62-42 victory over Casey-Westfield.

The victory also provide a milestone for the first year coach Andy Sloan and the Rangerettes as they improved to 20-6 overall – the first Benton girl’s team to reach the 20-win plateau since 2004.

After falling behind 14-9 at the end of the first quarter the Rangerettes took control of the game early in the second frame behind the inside duo of Morgan Corn and Mikala Carney who combined for 20 first half points.

“Casey struggled against our post players and Morgan and Mikala did a great job finishing,” said Sloan. Another key point in the game was in the second quarter when Evelyn (Mendez) hit back-to-back three-pointers. After those two baskets Casey had to come out and guard us more on the perimeter and that made our inside game even stronger.”

Corn turned in a double-double with a game high 25 points to go along with 11 boards. Mikala Carney finished with 13 and was followed by Cali Carney with eight points, Mendez with six points and Sami Minor and Kaitlyn Biddle with two each.

Sloan gave high marks to his four seniors – Morgan Corn, Evelyn Mendez, Mikala Carney and Brittany Pedigo – who played their final home game at the East Gym last week and at RHG during the 9th Annual Rich Herrin Classic.

Four Benton seniors played their final regular season game in a 62-42 win over Casey-Westfield. Pictured during the first week of the season after winning the Marion Lady Wildcats Invitational are, l-r, Morgan Corn, Evelyn Mendez, Mikala Carney and Brittany Pedigo.

Four Benton seniors played their final regular season game Saturday in a 62-42 win over Casey-Westfield. Pictured during the first week of the season after winning the Marion Lady Wildcats Invitational are, l-r, Morgan Corn, Evelyn Mendez, Mikala Carney and Brittany Pedigo.

“What a great group of kids,” said Sloan. “I feel honored to have coached them during their final year. We have came so far and learned so much about each other, we are just now getting comfortable with each other about what we are trying to accomplish.”

The Rangerettes will head into post season play, the No. 2 seed in the loaded field of the Zeigler-Royalton Class 2A Regional. Benton will face the winner of the Sesser-Valier – West Frankfort game in a semi-final match up at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night.

State ranked Nashville is the top seed with S-V as the No. 3 seed, Zeigler-Royalton is the No. 4 seed, Du Quoin is the No. 5 seed and West Frankfort is the No. 6 seed.

The tourney kicks off tonight with S-V vs. West Frankfort and on Tuesday Z-R will face Du Quoin. Semi-final games will be Wednesday with the finals on Thursday night.

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

Junior Rangers head to Elite Eight with 58-46 win over Hamilton County

February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Benton Middle School 8th grade basketball team won the Hamilton County Class L Regional on Saturday with a 58-46 victory over the host Foxes. Pictured left to right, bottom row: Jourdan Garbo, Lance Cockrum, Gehrig Wynn, Oliver Davis, Tony Tillman, Parker Williams Back row l-r: Coach John Cook, Jordan Richey, Hamilton Page, Tyson Houghland, Scott Mosely, Brett Bonenburger, Derek Oxford, Blane Pankey, Austin Wills, and Coach Andy Davis

The Benton Middle School 8th grade basketball team won the Hamilton County Class L Regional on Saturday with a 58-46 victory over the host Foxes. Pictured left to right, bottom row: Jourdan Garbo, Lance Cockrum, Gehrig Wynn, Oliver Davis, Tony Tillman, Parker Williams
Back row l-r: Coach John Cook, Jordan Richey, Hamilton Page, Tyson Houghland, Scott Mosely, Brett Bonenburger, Derek Oxford, Blane Pankey, Austin Wills, and Coach Andy Davis

By Jim Muir

The Benton Middle School 8th grade basketball team made it back-to-back regional titles with a hard-fought 58-46 victory over Hamilton County in the Hamilton County Class L Regional.

The victory improved Benton to 19-4 on the season.

With leading scorer Derek Oxford facing double and triple teams in the contest and also plagued by foul trouble the Junior Rangers rose to the occasion with a terrific team effort, according to coach John Cook.

“I was really impressed with the way our guys stood up to the challenge, “ said Cook. “I give Hamilton County a lot of credit, they are big and physical and they really held Derek (Oxford) in check the first half of the game. Austin Wills and Tyson Houghland really showed a lot of poise and leadership and really picked us up in the biggest game of the season.”

Houghland turned in his best performance of the season with 18 points and an eye-popping 15 rebounds. Wills had 16 points to to with four rebounds, three steals and three assists.

The Junior Rangers raced out to a quick 17-8 first quarter lead but the Foxes clawed back outscoring Benton 13-7 in the second quarter to pull within 24-21 at intermission. Benton hung 20 points on the scoreboard in the third quarter while holding Hamilton County to 12 and took a 44-33 lead into the final quarter of play.

Gehrig Wynn nailed a pair of 3-pointers and Oliver Davis hit a solo trey and Cook pointed to all three shots as keys to the win.

“All three of those 3-pointers came at pivotal times in the game,” said Cook. “When teams play a gimmick defense and key on your leading scorers, it’s shots like those that really define your team. I have said all year that we are not a one-dimensional team and I think we proved it in the regional championship game.”

oxford 1000

Even though Oxford was facing a variety of defenses geared to slow him down he still scored 17 – four points below his average and the first time in 11 games he was below the 20-point plus mark. The 17 points by Oxford pushed him beyond the 1,000 point mark for his BMS career – a record achievement at the junior high level.

Cook said the regional title coupled with the stellar achievement and milestone by Oxford, and both events celebrated on the road, made for an emotional Saturday morning.

“Derek being honored at McLeansboro for his 1,000th point was a great moment. Being able to celebrate a regional championship and seeing him recognized for an outstanding achievement all in the same day is something I will never forget,” said Cook. “Derek was able to do that in front of family and friends and our biggest crowd of the season.”

The fact that Oxford’s achievements were recognized on the road was also a high point for Cook.

“I want to thank Clint Winemiller (Hamilton County athletic director) for the kind words he said about Derek,” said Cook. “Hamilton County was very accomodating and their fans were very classy with the reception they gave for our team. It was just a special day.”

BMS scoring is as follows: Houghland, 18, Oxford 17, Wills 16, Wynn 6, Davis 3. Also seeing action for Benton was Blane Pankey, Hamilton Page, Jordan Richey and Scott Mosely.

BMS will now move into Elite Eight action at Rend Lake College where they will face the winner of the Carmi-White County Regional in a 12 noon game on Saturday, Feb. 9. Benton will face either Mt. Carmel or Olney who will play Monday night.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton Junior High Sports, Junior High Sports, Uncategorized
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Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News