The Centralia Orphans needed overtime but in the end Cruz Harlan was too much in the 2nd half leading Centralia to a 60-52 win over Highland in the 3a Triad Sectional Semifinals. Harlan finished with 26 points for the Orphans. 18 of those came in the 4th quarter and overtime. Freshman Mike Organ finished with 15 as he made 5 three’s off the bench. Logan Meier was solid with 9 points, going 7-of-8 in the fourth quarter and overtime from the foul line. Centralia improves to 31-2 as they will play Friday in the Sectional finals against tonight’s winner between East St Louis and Mount Vernon.
Also in 3a sectional semifinals tonight at Lincoln, Mt Zion takes on Rochester. The winner will play MacArthur after their 63-36 win over Sacred Heart Griffin. The winner of the Lincoln Sectional will play the Triad Sectional winner at the Springfield Supers next week.
Christ Our Rock will play in their first ever Sectional tonight at St Anthony when they take on Tuscola at 6pm. The winner will play Friday against Arcola after they beat Webber last night 56-44 ending the Trojans historic season that saw them win 30 games for the first time in program history.
At NCOE, Mounds Meridian beat Waltonville 52-45, tonight it’s Goreville and Gibault.
Breese Central is into the Benton 2a Sectional finals after blowing out Massac County 60-33. They will get the winner of tonight’s dandy of a matchup between Benton and Wesclin. At Beardstown, Marquette beat Pleasant Plains. Flora lost to St Joseph Ogden at Shelbyville 50-40, tonight it’s TTown and Tolono Unity.
Belleville West’s Cinderella post season run came to an end. After a pair of buzzer beating wins to claim their regional championship, the Maroons season ended at O’Fallon falling to Quincy 74-46. Quincy advances to the Pekin finals where they will get Normal Community after their win over Moline 61-44.
(Photo Cred: Pat Hodges)
