Russell Conwell/Student Correspondent
Darren Kinnard
Section618.com
BENTON–Here is a recap of the final day of the 48th Benton Invitational Tournament.
Hamilton County vs Meridian
The Hamilton County Foxes had a chance to clinch at least a share of the Benton Invitational title with a win over Meridian. The Bobcats were coming into the game trying to force a four-way tie for first.
From the tip, Hamilton County controlled the game. The Foxes started by brewing up a 12-2 run. That run held on for the rest of the quarter, as HamCo led 24-9 at the end of one.
To start the second, it was really slow offensively for both teams. Meridian would pick it up later in the quarter, though, as the Bobcats only allowed six points and scored 15. The Foxes would go into halftime leading 30-24.
In the third, the Foxes went on an 8-0 run and stretched their lead out to 19 points at the end of three. Going into the fourth quarter Meridian still showed grit, but it wasn’t enough as the Foxes won 75-52.
The game’s leading scorers were Jaden York of Hamilton County with 24 points and Meridian’s Roderic Gatewood Jr. with 19 points.
The Foxes clinched at least a share of the championship.
Benton vs Pinckneyville
Like Meridian’s goal, Benton hoped to get a 4-way tie with a win over Pinckneyville. The Panthers were trying get a share of their 4th consecutive championship.
It was a very defensive affair in the first quarter, with the score at the end of the first 6-5 Pinckneyville. It didn’t pick up at all in the second quarter as neither team had hit double digits till 5:30 left in the second. At halftime, the score was 13-12 Pinckneyville.
Neither team could get a big lead in the third, with Pinckneyville leading 17-14 at the mask break and 20-16 at the end of the quarter. With 2:30 left in the fourth, a Rangers’ foul sent Trey Moll to the line to shoot three. He made all three of his shots. The Panthers shot 9-10 from the free throw line in the quarter.
The Panthers’ leading scorers were Nile Adcock and Trey Moll; they had 8 points. The Rangers’ leading scorer was Keegan Glover with 9 points.
Pinckneyville also gets a share of the BIT championship after beating Benton 34-26.
Sesser-Valier vs Vandalia
Sesser-Valier was coming into this game after losing three straight games, and they were hoping to end this tournament on a good note. Vandalia was hoping to catch Sesser-Valier off guard.
The Red Devils and Vandals would have a back and forth game, as the score at the end of three was Vandalia 35-32. Sesser-Valier wasn’t done yet, though. After Carson Hoffard got a steal, leading to a 10-3 run to finish the game. With that run, the Red Devils ended up winning 45-40.
Sesser-Valier’s Eli Schoenbaechler led the team with 21 points. Vandalia’s leading scorer was Preston Nestrick who had 8 points.
Earlier in the day in Session IV, Hamilton County beat Vandalia 63-45, Pinckneyville beat Sesser-Valier 52-33, and Benton beat Meridian 43-41.
BIT Final Standings
1. Hamilton Co, (4-1)
Pinckneyville (4-1)
3. Benton (2-3)
Meridian (2-3)
Sesser-Valier (2-3)
6. Vandalia (1-4)
BIT All-Tournament Team
JaQuavion Mackins, Meridian
Luke Melvin, Benton
Kellen Scott, Pinckneyville
Nile Adcock, Pinckneyville
Reid Baumgarte, Benton
Gavin Woodland, Sesser-Valier
Wyatt Hamson, Hamilton Co.
Brady Thrane, Hamilton Co.
Duke Riggins, Pinckneyville
Roderic Gatewood Jr, Meridian
Bob Blondi Sportsmanship Award
Eli Schoenbaechler, Sesser-Valier