The Salem Wildcats will finish up play at the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic today at 4pm when they take on Jerseyville on WJBD.
Salem dropped both games in the winner’s bracket on Monday. They opened with a 71-53 loss to 9th ranked Sparta. Avery Gullion led Salem with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Payton Gullion added 12 and 7. Luke Boldt added 9 off the bench.
Salem then dropped their nightcap to a very good Pinckneyville Panthers teams 61-28. Pinckneyville 6-8 senior and SIU-Carbondale recruit Ty Laur exploded for 31 points. Salem was led by Ryegan Warren with 8. Salem was dominated on the boards to the tune of 29-7. The Cats are 7-7 on the season.
The day begins at 9am with Meridian and Trico followed at 10:30 by Mt Carmel and Chester. Then at noon it’s Olney and Christopher. The consolation championship is at 1:30 with Okawville and Carlyle followed with Salem/Jerseyville for 7th place at 4. Then at 5:30, Pinckneyville will play Steeleville for 5th before the 3rd place game of Murphysboro and Roxana at 7pm. The championship is a 1a state ranked battle with top-ranked Woodlawn taking on 9th ranked Sparta. Woodlawn beat Murphysboro in a tight semifinal 54-51 and in the win, Kyle Cooper went over 2000 career points between his time at Waltonville and now at Woodlawn. Sparta hit 5 consecutive 3 pointers after Roxana had tied their game up and pulled away to win 60-47.
