Bulldogs come to West Frankfort

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

West Frankfort senior Trenton Easley dribbles past Harrisburg defenders during the team’s Dec. 29 match-up at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament. Harrisburg travels to Max Morris Gymnasium on Friday night to take on the Redbirds in the first game of 2013.

By BRUCE A. FASOL

The West Frankfort Redbird boys varsity basketball team believes that they are an improved ball club over the course of the season. and, they believed that they showed some of that improvement in the just completed Eldorado Holiday Basketball Tournament. The Harrisburg Bulldogs say: “Prove it.”

The champions of the recently concluded EHT invade West Frankfort’s Max Morris Gym Friday night as both teams get the 2013 portion of their schedules underway. They have one meeting already under their belts as Harrisburg pulled away from the ‘Birds for an easy win in the EHT second round. The Redbirds actually led by a bucket at first quarters end in that game.

The JV game begins at 6 p.m., and the varsity contest starts at approximately 7:45 p.m. Friday. It is an Ohio Division ballgame.

The Redbirds open 2013 with a 3-8 record, and are winless in the conference so far.

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Redbirds fall to top-seeded Bulldogs

December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

West Frankfort Senior Trenton Easley shoots under heavy guard from the Harrisburg Bulldogs at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament on Saturday.

By BRUCE A. FASOL

The Harrisburg Bulldogs may well win the 2012 Eldorado Holiday Tournament, but or a brief moment, at least one team threatened to block their path. Playing aggressive basketball in their quarterfinal match-up, the upstart West Frankfort Redbirds led 15-13 after one quarter Saturday afternoon.

The Redbirds came out of the locker room with nothing left to lose except take it to the #1 seeded Bulldogs.

The Redbirds got to the bracket match-up with a thrilling last second 3-point shot by Braxston Koehl the day prior. In the first quarter against Harrisburg, the Redbirds were patient and used skillful passing to build the lead.

The first points of the second quarter came on a 3-point shot by Tyler Smithpeters, giving Harrisburg a 16-15 lead. Whatever Coach Randy Smithpeters said to his ballclub between quarters ignited a fire inside his team.

Harrisburg exploded for a 31-9 second quarter advantage to re-establish their credibility.

By the half, the Redbirds found themselves hopelessly out of reach, 44-24.  In that decisive frame, Smithpeters had three swishes beyond the arc as part of his 12 point second frame total.  By the end of the third quarter the score was 66-36. That 30 point advantage involved the continuous clock at Duff-Kingston Gym.  The final score was Harrisburg 72-41 win. It was similar to the first day’s first round win over Hardin County for Harrisburg.

Game high scorer was Tyler Smithpeters, who burned the nets for 30 points. The Redbirds were led by 14 points from sophomore Christian Dunning. Trenton Easley also scored in double figures for the ‘Birds with 10 points. Other Redbird scorers included: Maller and Koehl with 4 apiece, 3 points for Sisk, 2 for Keller, and a single point for Korolenko.

Harrisburg had a huge rebounding advantage in the game, 33-21. WF turned the ball over 16 times, Harrisburg 15 times.

With the loss the Redbirds drop to 3-7 for the season. They continue in the Eldorado Holiday Tournament with an 8:30 a.m. game Monday morning. In the breakfast meeting, they will play Union County, Kentucky. Union County dropped a 46-44 game to Massac County on Saturday, in which the Braves had three consecutive misses under the basket as the game ended.

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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.

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Peabody closes Willow Lake mine; 400 Southern Illinois jobs disappear

November 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By JIM MUIR

The Southern Illinois economy and mining industry took a direct hit Tuesday with the announcement that the Willow Lake Mine near Harrisburg will close permanently.

Below is a press release issued by Peabody Energy:

Big Ridge, Inc. today announced it will permanently close the Willow Lake Mine near Harrisburg, Ill. The mine has failed to meet acceptable standards for safety, compliance and operating performance, and these ongoing issues make the operations unsustainable.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letters are being provided to approximately 400 employees. Willow Lake sold 2.2 million tons in 2011.

Peabody expects to incur a largely non-cash, one-time charge estimated at $40 to $60 million ($0.10 to $0.15 per share after tax) in the fourth quarter primarily to write off assets, increase asset retirement obligations and accrue severance. The company expects little effect on ongoing earnings from the closing.

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