The Salem Wildcats saw a 9 point lead after 3 quarters evaporate quickly in the fourth and they fell to Carbondale on the road 50-45. Salem led 12-5 after the opening quarter and 22-19 at the half before taking the 37-28 advantage into the fourth. DeCarl Payne scored just 3 points in the first quarter but finished with a game high 30 after scoring 14 of those in the final quarter to help the comeback and to seal the win.
Salem got 7 three pointers from single season record holder Gavin Zimmerman who finished with 24 points and 99 made three’s this season to set the new record. The other Cat in double figures was Senior Sam Greene who finished with 10, Connor Tennyson 6 and Brenan Richardson added 2. Kam Wilkins is the other senior that dressed his last game.
Carbondale advances to take on Centralia Wednesday in the Marion 3a Regional semifinals at 6pm followed by Herrin and Marion in the other semifinal. Salem’s season ends at 10-22.
Also in 3a regional openers, Charleston beat Effingham 64-35, Freeburg outgunned Cahokia 81-74.
The SC Cougars season came to an end in their 1a regional quarterfinal falling on the road at North Clay 62-53. SC got 14 each from Seth Bermann and Westin Neilson, Max Magnus finished with 11. The Cougars season ends at 15-16. Walden led the Cardinals with 21 and Byers added 18 and Kuenstler finished with 14.
Also in 1a, Altamont routed Mulberry Grove 78-39, Nathaniel Marlow scored 34 points to lead Webber over Sandoval 65-51, Christ Our Rock won at home over Wayne City 52-30, Sesser Valier upset Christopher 52-50 as Liam McMurray hit game winning free throws with 3.2 seconds left. Top ranked St Anthony looked the part in their opener routing Ramsey in Effingham 105-27, Red Hill upset Grayville 64-62. St Elmo/Brownstown eliminated Patoka/Odin 58-45 and Woodlawn over Lebanon 59-15.
In 2a, Nashville pulled off the upset, winning at Mater Dei 42-35, Althoff over Chester 73-50, Carlyle over DuQuoin 64-37, Harrisburg pulled off the upset of Anna on the road 70-56, Flora beat Cumberland 61-23, Robinson eliminated Vandalia 62-48, Wood River’s season ended at Piasa 47-46.
