Dylan Chambers/Section618.com student correspondent
Darren Kinnard

ELDORADO — Second-seeded Massac County beat seventh-seeded Anna-Jonesboro 58-42 to earn a spot in the 55th Eldorado Holiday Tournament semifinals.

The Patriots jumped on top quickly. Julian Russell hit a three-pointer to start off the game. Zach Travis followed with another three for a 6-0 Patriots lead. Travis scored a game high of 17 points on the night.

Ta’kevon Williford’s layup gave the Wildcats their first points, but it was their only field goal of the quarter as the Patriots led 12-3 after one.

Noah McFarland’s bucket and Blake Pena’s three got the Massac County lead down to four points, prompting Patriots Coach Joe Hosman to call a timeout to stop the run.

Pena continued his hot shooting as A-J eventually grabbed the lead at 15-14. He led the Wildcats with 15. Patriots’ senior Jase Mizell hit back to threes, part of an 8-0 run to give Massac County a 22-15. The Patriots led 25-21 at the half.

Massac County came out strong in the third quarter. Russell hit another three, and JJ Sweatt came up with a steal and set up Kaleb Ramer for three pushing the lead to 10. The Wildcats cut it to 35-30, but Zach Travis scored seven straight for Massac as the Patriots pushed the lead back to 43-34. Pena hit a buzzer beater to end the 3rd quarter to pull the Wildcats within 45-39.

Just as they did in the first quarter, the Patriots held the Wildcats to only three points in the fourth and pulled away for the 16-point win to advance to the tournament semifinals against Carmi-White County Saturday at 1:30. The Bulldogs defeated Eldorado 66-48 in fourth quarterfinal.