The Salem Wildcats dropped their season opener to powerhouse Fairfield 61-59. Landon Zurliene took the ball on the inbounds the length of the court and hit a 15 foot jumper that fell through as time expired for the Mules. He finished with a game-high 24 points.
Salem came back after trailing by as many as 13 in the 2nd half. Caden Bee finished with 15 for the Cats, Haddon Lybarger added 10 and Donavon Williams finished with 9 including 2 free throws with under 10 seconds left that tied the game at 59.
Salem trailed 19-15 after the first quarter, 36-28 at half and 48-41 after three. Fairfield hit 7 three’s as a team and improves to 2-0.
The Cats will open up Cahokia play next week with 3 games. Tuesday they will be at Freeburg, Thursday at home with Wesclin and then next Saturday the Cats will play at Columbia. Salem’s Fresh/Soph opened the night with a 38-26 victory while the JV Cats fell 73-45.
By: Pat Hodges
The Centralia Orphans held off Marion at Trout Arena as they earned a 48-43 opening night win. Koby Wilmoth led the Orphans with 14 along with Mason Blakemore.
Patoka fell to Crab Orchard in overtime 86-81 despite Jordan Gebke pouring in 40 for the Warriors. Drew Belcher added 22 and Anthony Buonaura finished with 13.
The South Central Cougars are 2-0 after a 49-41 win over Windsor/Stew Stras. Keenin Willshire finished with 21 and Colin Miller added 19. The SC freshmen and JV also won. The Cougars will stay in National Trail Conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Altamont.
Boys Scoreboard:
Calhoun 46 Carlinville 37
Carterville 36 Herrin 34
Centralia 48 Marion 43
Charleston 65 Mt Zion 48
Christopher 50 Trico 32
Effingham 69 Taylorville 52
Effingham St Anthony 68 Neoga 29
Fairfield 61 Salem 59
Hillsboro 72 Vandalia 60
Jerseyville 39 Chatham Glenwood 37
Johnston City 45 Anna Jonesboro 30
Mt Vernon 58 Carbondale 24
Paris 67 Tolono Unity 33
Pinckneyville 58 Hamilton County 34
Red Hill 69 Oblong 36
Robinson 53 Shelbyville 32
Wayne City 58 Cisne 42
Girls Scores:
East Alton Wood River 37 Maryville Christian 27
Greenville 51 Roxana 40
Hamilton County 47 Gallatin County 17
Jerseyville 38 Chatham Glenwood 36
Newton 40 Dieterich 24
Trico 53 Johnston City 39
