The Central City Citians are into the Class S state championship after coming back from trailing by 7 entering the 4th quarter to beat previously undefeated Alton St Mary 44-39. The Citians leading scorer Archie Goewey missed part of school during the day due to illness and wasn’t himself early, but 8th grader Kruz Jackson picked up the slack as he scored all 12 of the Citians points in the first quarter that saw them lead 12-9. When Goewey went down with an ankle injury early in the 2nd quarter, the Chargers made a move to cut the deficit to 1 at the halftime break. St Mary outscored the Citians 12-4 in the 3rd quarter to take the lead, but the Citians rallied. Goewey scored 9 of his 13 points in the 4th quarter, Jackson finished with a game high 24, Kade Jackson hit 2 big free throws and Talan Woodward hit a huge 3 and scored 5 in the final frame. The Citians improve to 32-1 and have won 31 in a row. They will get Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 4pm Saturday for the state title on WJBD. St Mary’s falls to 24-1 on the season and will play St Peter & Paul Catholic in the 3rd place game at 2:30.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel outlasted St Peter & Paul in the 2nd semifinal 44-41.
The Nashville Hornets will play for the Class M title tonight at 7:30 against Joseph Arthur Middle School. The first game at 6 will see the 3rd place game between Aviston and Gallatin County.
Tomorrow is the opening round of the Class L state tournament. At 9:30 it is Casey Mount Vernon taking on Marion followed at 10:45 by Trico and Mt Carmel. Then at noon it’s Belleville West and Centralia followed with the final game at 1:15 between Carbondale and Whiteside Middle School.
