HERRIN — A dominating performance in a first place showdown with Massac County Friday night, in addition to a win over West Frankfort and a second conference loss by the Patriots Saturday night, has lifted the Herrin Tigers to the SIRR Ohio championship.

The Tigers jumped out to an 18-3 first half lead against the Patriots Friday night and never looked back in a 52-35 win. Herrin led 26-12 at the half and extended that lead to as many as 19 in the third quarter. Massac County scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter, but could get no closer than 11 before the Tigers added to their cushion over the final 4:15.

Haydon Mayer led three in double figures with 17 points. Reese Billingsley added 12 and Exavier Williams 11. Isaac Hosman led Massac County with 12 with Ian Higgerson adding 11.

Then Saturday night, Herrin won at West Frankfort 63-56, and Massac County lost at home to Benton 65-43, clinching the conference title for the Tigers. With one conference game remaining, the weekend results left Herrin 7-1 in Ohio play, a game and a half ahead of the Patriots.

Herrin and Benton will end up with only nine conference games after the IHSA ruled their game January 27 a “no contest,” meaning neither team received a win or loss from the game. With Herrin leading 60-52, the game was called with 57.7 seconds left following a benches clearing incident that led to four ejections and multiple suspensions.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson ruled the game a “double forfeit,” meaning both teams took a loss. Herrin appealed that ruling, with the IHSA Board of Directors changing it to a “no contest,” but adding 1-game suspensions for the two head coaches, Herrin’s Sayler Shurtz and Benton’s Ron Winemiller. Winemiller missed the Rangers’ game at Du Quoin. Shurtz missed the Tigers’ loss at Sparta, a game that was added following the notice of suspension. Both coaches returned to the sidelines for the teams’ two conference wins this weekend.