The Salem Wildcats limp out of the Duster Thomas going 1-3 on the tournament and sitting at 3-12 this season after dropping the 13th place game Monday morning to Chester 55-43. Salem trailed 18-4 after the opening quarter. They were down 20 in the fourth when they cut it to 9 with about 4 minutes left, but the Cats didn’t get any closer. Kaeden Bevolo finished with 16 points, 11 in the fourth quarter. Avery Gullion finished with 9 off the bench and Miking Ettress had 7. The Cats were dominated on the glass to the tune of 24-14. Salem is off until next Tuesday when they host Flora.
What a championship game and atmosphere for the state ranked battle between Benton and Pickneyville. The Panthers led 50-48 as time was expiring when Docker Tedeschi launched a prayer of a shot from the opposite free throw line with .5 seconds left, only to be fouled and sent to the line. The Colorado State recruit calmly hit all 3 and sent his Rangers home with the title 51-50.
Murphysboro knocked off Meridian in the 3rd place game. Carlyle beat Jerseyville in the 5th place game 65-40, Olney over Roxana 60-38 for 7th, Christopher beat Trico in the 15th place game. Steeleville took 11th place beating Mt Carmel 59-40.
