The Franklin Park Bobcats battled till the very end, but ultimately fell to Belleville Whiteside in the opening round of the SIJHSAA Class L state tournament held at Rend Lake College 45-39.
Ben Lux led Salem with 11 points and 3 steals. Dakota Wiggins handled the pressure well and finished with 8. Tanner Purintun had 8 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Emit Gibson was big on the boards with 7 rebounds.
The Bobcats were making their first trip to state in 20 years. Franklin Park’s season ends at 18-10. The 7th grade will open Monday at the Woodlawn Tournament against Rome at 6pm.
In other first round Class L games…
Marion 55 Carterville 29
Murphysboro 54 Mt Carmel 36
Belleville West 55 Central Jr High 46
Tuesday Semifinals:
Marion v. Whiteside 6pm
Murphysboro v. Belleville West 7:15
The Summersville Wildcats had a finish for the ages in the Class S state championship game from Rend Lake College. Brantley Tate tipped in a miss as time expired lifting Summersville to the win 35-34.
The boys join the Summersville girls team as state champs this season.
Ewing-Northern brought home 3rd place with their 51-48 win over Jasper.
