(Photos: Pat Hodges)
The Orphans (26-1) opened their game with visiting Salem outscoring them 17-0 after the first quarter and would cruise to a 60-32 victory. Archie Goewey had a double/double as the sophomore scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Kenny Bratton added 14 and Jaxson Hancock 13 as the Orphans stifling defense was on display in the first half as Salem trailed 34-7 at the break.
But give the Wildcats (12-17) credit, they didn’t quit and in the third quarter outscored Centralia 19-17 and avoided the dreaded running clock that looked eminent at the beginning of the game.
Avery Gullion caught fire in the 2nd half shooting 4-6 from the 3-point line for 13 points. Kaeden Bevolo also hit a pair of threes and finished with 8, Logan Butts added 6, Luke Boldt 3 and Ryegan Warren 2.
Centralia returns to action Friday when they host Marion and a chance to claim the outright South 7 title.
Salem will travel to Wesclin on Wednesday for a makeup game with Wesclin.
SATURDAY BOYS SCORES
Marquette 53 Duchesne, Mo. 39
Benton 62 Olney 42
Cardinal Ritter, Mo. 60 O’Fallon 44
Carlyle 62 Webber 59
Carterville 58 Anna Jonesboro 41
Centralia 60 Salem 32
Cumberland 53 Newton 46
East St Louis 66 Camden, NJ 53
Goreville 50 Lawrenceville 45
Hamilton County 64 Gallatin County 28
Jacksonville 44 Mt Zion 40
Marion 75 Confluence, Mo. 53
Marshall County, Ky. 73 Pinckneyville 47
Mt Vernon 67 Mattoon 52
Nashville 59 Waltonville 51
New Athens 75 Christ Our Rock 28
North Clay 71 Patoka/Odin 56
Red Hill 58 OPH 55
Roxana 50 Altamont 36
Staunton 44 Columbia 36
Sullivan 66 Vandalia 56
Taylorville 57 Pana 42
Vashon, Mo. 75 Alton 39
Vienna 63 Flora 56
Wayne City 59 Christopher 53
