The Showdown in Marion was as tight as expected, but Centralia overcame a 4-point halftime deficit by outscoring the host Wildcats 24-10 in the second half to pull off the 36-26 victory at Cuss Wilson Gym. Devin Meier had 13 points, 10 of which came in the 3rd quarter when the Orphans made their move. Kenny Bratton stepped on the gas in the 4th quarter scoring 8 of his 14 in the final 8 minutes. Cam Curry led Marion with 14 but the hosts didn’t score in the game’s final 5 minutes. Centralia improves to 11-0 while Marion falls to 7-1. The Orphans will be back in action Monday night when they open the CHT against Sumner out of Missouri.
In the JV game, Centralia won 53-41. Trey Branch scored 18, Kade Jackson 13 and Dre Hooper 11.
The Mt Vernon Rams traveled south to play Christian County, Kentucky 69-39 to improve to 7-1. Lucas Shelby Jr. and Cale Maurer led the Rams with 16 each. Mt Vernon will open up the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Saturday at 1pm against Oakville, Missouri.
Pinckneyville lost to Graves County, Kentucky 60-52.
Westin Neilson was on fire last night on Gary Shirley Court in Farina. The junior hit 8 threes and scored 36 points as SC beats Sandoval 69-52. Hudson Moore added 18. Josh Gordon had 24 for the Blackhawks. Austin Hoffman added 15 and Cooper Lyons had 10.
The North Clay Cardinals traveled to 23rd ranked Columbia and fell 71-65. The Cardinals are 7-3 on the year and will play Vandalia after the holiday break.
