The Salem Wildcats finished their run at the Duster Thomas with a 2-2 record after winning their 7th place game matchup with Jerseyville 48-43. Salem saw most of their 10 point lead evaporate in the 4th quarter with the Panthers cutting it to 1.
Payton Gullion hit 2 big free throws with 20 seconds left to push the lead to 5 and Salem would hold on. He finished 6-7 from the foul line with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Avery Gullion had a team high 12 points. Ryegan Warren had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists with Kaeden Bevolo adding 8 points and 8 rebounds. Logan Butts finished with 7 points as the Cats improve to 8-7 on the season.
They will be back in action for 3 games next week when they travel to Flora next Tuesday, at Roxana next Friday and then Vandalia at home next Saturday.
Woodlawn won the battle of state ranked 1a teams in the Duster Thomas Hoops Classic finals holding off Sparta 48-46. Murphysboro won 3rd place over Roxana 55-52, Pinckneyville took 5th easily beating Steeleville 69-32. Christopher won the 11th place game 46-45 over Olney, Chester was 13th over Mt Carmel 46-41 and in the 15th place game, Trico beat Meridian 57-47.
All Tournament Team:
MVP – Kyle Cooper (Woodlawn)
Dariontez Monroe (Sparta)
Ty Laur (Pinckneyville)
Kemmeon Hale – (Murphysboro)
Aiden Stemm (Roxana)
DJ Hayes (Sparta)
Tyson Frick (Woodlawn)
Sean Maberry (Roxana)
Myles Guthman (Murphysboro)
Nathan Witthoft (Steeleville)
Zach Persing (Carlyle)
