ABV ALL-SOUTH TEAMS - 2016-17
Frederking, Marcotte earn ABV "POY's"
Coaches Rincker, Buss are "COY's"

03-22-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
MT. VERNON - For the second consecutive season, the two winners of the A Baseline View.com “Player of the Year” awards both played on television in the state finals.
Both Noah Frederking of Okawville and Jackson Marcotte of Mount Carmel led their respective teams to the promised land of Carver Arena and to near the top of the mountain in both 1A and 2A.

IHSA 2A STATE FINALS
Golden Aces fall in title title
Chicago Orr proves too tough; Spartans beat Mount Carmel, 59-39

03-11-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA – Mount Carmel and head coach Tyler Buss put together a “golden” season in 2016-17 as they reached the IHSA 2A championship game on Saturday night.
Unfortunately, the Aces on this night had to settle for “silver.”
Chicago Orr, the winner of the Red Division of the Chicago Public League and who dropped down to 2A this season, were far too athletic for the Aces in the title game.

IHSA 1A STATE FINALS
St. A edges Okawville, wins state title
Drew Gibson hits game winning shot in OT; adds free throws in 49-46 win

03-11-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA – Coming up big in crucial times is what turns good teams into great champions.
During the postseason run by the Effingham St. Anthony Bulldogs leading up to the 1A title game against Okawville there were times when things didn't go well.
But in each game Coach Cody Rincker saw his team dig down and manage to win games when they didn't necessarily play their best by making the big plays when they counted the most.

IHSA STATE FINALS - PEORIA
Golden Aces reach championship game
Marcotte, Carpenter dominate both ends, Mount Carmel wins 67-55

03-10-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA – Basketball is a very simple game when you take a long look at it.
And if you are blessed with two 6-foot-8 athletic players, the game gets even less complex.
Mount Carmel head coach Tyler Buss has that luxury and, because of those two player who compliment each other so immensely, his Golden Aces are on the verge of winning the school's first state championship in boy's basketball since 1927.

IHSA STATE FINALS - PEORIA
All ABV 1A Title Game
Rockets, Bulldogs set for championship game clash
Okawville rolls past Newark; St. Anthony edges Chicago Hope

03-10-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA – Defensively speaking, the Okawville Rockets were on top of their game on Saturday afternoon in the 1A semifinals against Newark.
The ABV top-ranked team is now a win away from being on the "top of the mountain."
Behind 24-points and 14-rebounds from 6-foot-4 senior Noah Frederking and a blanketed shutdown of their opposition, the Rockets will now play in the state title .....

3A BENTON SECTIONAL
Centralia ends Cougars' campaign
Orphans' defense takes down Bresse Central, 41-34

03-08-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
BENTON – The first venture into Class 3A boy's basketball for the Breese Central Cougars produced a regional championship last Friday night and a trip into the sectional semifinals against 3A stalwart Centralia on Wednesday.

The Cougars found out the hard way that there is a big difference in physicality between the two classes.

 
 
1A CARBONDALE SUPERSECTIONAL
Bulldogs edge Woodlawn, advance
Drew Gibson scores 32-points, St. Anthony rallies for 52-50 victory
Mount Carmel hammers Alton Marquette to win the 2A Supersectional
Okawville advances at 1A Jacksonville Supersectional

03-07-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – Effingham St. Anthony senior forward Drew Gibson didn't want Tuesday night's supersectional game against Woodlawn to be his last.

For the first three quarters of the contest, it appeared that Gibson and his state-ranked club were going home with a loss and his prep career would come to a screeching halt.
Un-ranked Woodlawn, who had won five-consecutive postseason games .....

1A & 2A CARBONDALE SUPERSECTIONAL PREVIEWS
One More Step
Final Four berths up for grabs Tuesday night at SIU Arena
1A - Effingham St. Anthony vs. Woodlawn
2A - Mount Carmel vs. Alton Marquette
Sectional Championship Games - 03-03-17
St. Anthony reaches Carbondale Super
Bulldogs best Patoka, face Woodlawn on Tuesday
Okawville, Mt. Carmel, Alton Marquette win sectionals Friday night

IHSA 1A NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD SECTIONAL
Woodlawn wins sectional title
Cardinals fourth quarter dooms Hawks, head to SIU Arena on Tuesday

03-03-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY – Championship programs are never overwhelmed by the moment.
In describing the ten year run of success by the Woodlawn Cardinals, it is best to use the phrase “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
The Cardinals entered 2016-17 with nearly an entirely new cast of combatants after graduating four starters from a state tournament team from a year ago.

2A WEST FRANKFORT SECTIONAL
Golden Aces outlast T-Town
Jackson Marcotte's double-double, Carpenter late score, doom 'Shoes

03-01-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
WEST FRANKFORT - Mt. Carmel's 6-foot-8 junior forward powered his way to a double-double in points and rebounds against Teutopolis on Wednesday night at the 2A West Frankfort Sectional.
He netted 28-points and snared 15-rebounds in leading the Aces to a 66-64 win.
However it was his final pass of the game, to 6-foot-8 senior forward .....

 
1A OKAWVILLE SECTIONAL
Rockets romp into sectional final
Okawville's big defensive effort in 62-36 triumph; Frederking nets 23-points

02-28-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE – This season the Okawville Rockets have dealt with the added pressure of being a preseason number one team in the state in Class 1A and a favorite to get to Peoria.
Although there were a few anxious moments in their 62-36 win Tuesday night over Carrollton, they were few and far between as defensively they took the .....

IHSA 1A NOKOMIS SECTIONAL
Patoka returns to defend title
NTC teams St. Anthony, Altamont, Dieterich make the sectional grade

02-28-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
NOKOMIS - A very similar looking sectional from a year ago has also emerged at 1A Nokomis this week as three of the four sectional combatants from a year ago are back for another shot at going to state.
Last season Patoka, Effingham St. Anthony and Dieterich were joined by Edwards County at the Red Hill event.
This season Edwards County was 2A and Altamont joined the winner's circle .....

IHSA 1A NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD SECTIONAL
Familiar foes set for NCOE battle
Meridian, Christopher, Woodlawn return to sectional; Gallatin Co. spoils Cairo's bid

02-28-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY – The Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 1A Sectional has three repeat entrants and one newcomer set to battle this week in hope to advance to the Carbondale Supersectional on Tuesday night, March 6.
Christopher, Woodlawn and Mounds Meridian return after winning their second consecutive regional titles respectively. Gallatin County won its first regional title ......

IHSA 1A CRAB ORCHARD REGIONAL
Christopher dominates Devils
Bearcats romp to second-straight regional crown, 71-41

02-24-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
CRAB ORCHARD
For the Sesser-Valier Red Devils and head coach Shane Garner, the feeling heading into the title game of the Crab Orchard 1A Regional was of optimism. Having won 11-of-13 games, including an 85-81 overtime win over their Friday night opponent and Franklin County rival Christopher back on February 14, the feeling was warranted.

IHSA TOURNAMENT SCORES - CARBONDALE SUPERSECTIONALS
IHSA 1A WAYNE CITY REGIONAL
Woodlawn upsets rival Spartans
Cardinals fly out to big lead, hold on for 43-42 semifinal win

02-22-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY
Never look past a defending champion, no matter what.
Programs like Woodlawn might have down years, but they should never be counted out.
In the first season under new head coach Brian Gamber, these Cardinals went through a transition phase and the losses added up.
But what has emerged is a young team with a senior leader .....

IHSA 1A CRAB ORCHARD REGIONAL
Sesser-Valier, Crab Orchard advance
Red Devils, Trojans set for semifinal clash; each post impressive wins

02-21-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
CRAB ORCHARD – Depth and experience are two very important aspects of a championship caliber ball club to have in your possession as a coach heading into the postseason in boy's high school basketball.
Head coach Shane Garner has that luxury.
His Red Devils used both of those attributes in their dismantling of .....

IHSA 1A HARDIN COUNTY REGIONAL
Cougars, Wildcats both "purr" into semifinals
Hardin County rallies past stunned Joppa, Carrier Mills cruises past Pope County

02-20-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
ELIZABETHTOWN - For as hot as it was inside of Oxford Gymnasium Monday night in the opening round of the Hardin County 1A Regional, it was equally cold for the Joppa Rangers in the second half of their game against the host Cougars.
Zach Essex witnessed his teams cool down which turned out to be a complete melt down.
The Rangers, after taking a 24-12 halftime lead ....

Panthers dominate WF
Pinckneyville preps for postseason with 74-36 win over Redbirds

02-18-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
WEST FRANKFORT – The state tournament is set to begin for 1A and 2A boy's high school basketball teams in the State of Illinois.
All teams want to head into the postseason playing their best basketball.
They want to “peak” at the right time.
After not playing their best basketball in Friday night in a win .....

Webber wins senior night battle
Trojans get 31-points from Charles Neal, edge Grayville 69-65

02-15-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLUFORD
The Webber Township Trojans celebrated their annual Senior Night on Wednesday with a make up game triumph over conference foe Grayville.
But it was an underclassmen who stepped up to deliver the much needed league win for Coach Brad Beaty's squad.
Six-foot-four junior forward Charles Neal was the deciding factor for .....

Carrier Mills gets GEC Tourney revenge
Wildcats shootout "light's out", drill NCOE for road victory, improve to 13-12

02-14-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - For every head coach in every sport at any level of competition, the goal is to have his or her team playing at its peak level heading into the postseason.
Mission accomplished for head coach Keil Peebles and his Carrier Mills Wildcats.
After a bad start to the season where they lost some close games and not so close decisions, the Wildcats have been playing well in the last few weeks.

 
Pinckneyville tops Hornets
Panthers clinch SIRR Mississippi title, 59-56 in overtime
Nashville's poor FT shooting proves costly in defeat

02-11-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE – Sometimes the big fish wiggles off of the hook.

On Saturday night at the Assembly Hall in Nashville, the host Hornets had Pinckneyville right where they wanted them, and all they had to do was reel them in.
Coach Brad Weathers' club had the Panthers in foul trouble for most of the game and were in position to hand Pinckneyville their first .....

Elverado shocks Meridian
Falcons rally for fourth quarter triumph, forge three-way SEC tie

02-10-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
ELKVILLE
- It was December 18, 2009. It was a road game for the Mounds Meridian Bobcats as they traveled to take on, then, conference rival Goreville.
The Bobcats left the gym that night after losing to the Blackcats, 63-55.
It was the last time that Mounds Meridian had lost a regular season South Egyptian Conference boy's varsity basketball contest.

IHSA TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS - CARBONDALE SUPERSECTIONALS

Chester defends home turf
Yellow Jackets get 22-points from Savion Smith, win 58-45 over Steeleville

02-09-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHESTER
- Chester senior guard Savion Smith turned in a stellar performance on Thursday night against Randolph County rival Steeleville.
And for the third time in as many tries, Smith and his Yellow Jackets' teammates were a rough match up for the Warriors.
Behind 22-points from Smith, including 10-points in the final quarter, the .....

IHSA TOURNAMENT SEEDINGS
SUB-SECTIONALS
Sesser-Valier edges rival Spartans
Red Devils crash offensive glass, rebound from slow start for 52-51 win

02-07-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER – Rivalry games are special in the sports world and they have been since the beginning of athletic competition in this world.

Sesser-Valier and Waltonville renewed their annual boy's basketball rivalry on Tuesday night.
Although it wasn't an instant classic, it had enough drama to send most .....

BENTON "RICH HERRIN CLASSIC"
Aces get past Nashville
Mt. Carmel rallies late, wins 52-44
Ham Co, CWC, Harrisburg, Marshall Co. (KY.), Teutopolis, Benton triumph

02-04-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
BENTON
- As the 2016-17 Mount Carmel Boy's High School Basketball season has wore on, head coach Tyler Buss has seen many different ways teams have tried to slow down his state and ABV ranked 2A club.

On Saturday afternoon at the Benton Rich Herrin Shootout, the Golden Aces .....

Eagles muscle past Fairfield
Eldorado avenges early season loss, 45-29; Visitors crash glass for 23rd win

02-03-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
FAIRFIELD
The Eldorado Eagles had revenge on their minds heading into their conference matchup at Fairfield on Friday night.
The game, according to mentor Josh Bradley, was circled on a calendar.
With only two losses on the season and a state-ranking achieved, Coach Josh Bradley and his Eagles could now concentrate on winning the Black Diamond Conference .....

M-C ends Warriors' league win streak
Meteors top Steeleville, 71-65, tie for first in Kaskaskia Division

01-31-17
BY JACK BULLOCK

STEELEVILLE
- From the opening tap to the final horn, it was clear as day which team was the most ready to play in the Tuesday night matchup between the top two teams in the Kaskaskia Division of the Cahokia Conference.
The Marissa-Coulterville Meteors were the ones who sparkled, especially on the offensive end of the floor.Coach Scott Wine saw his team jump out to an early .....

 
NATIONAL TRAIL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
St. Anthony wins NTC title
Bulldogs hold off Altamont's fourth quarter onslaught, win 74-69
St. Elmo-Brownstown wins third; Dieterich nabs consy crown; South Central wins fifth

01-28-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
ALTAMONT - The Effingham St. Anthony Bulldogs are the champions of the National Trail Conference Tournament for the 21st time after dispatching the host Altamont Indians on Saturday night.
Using a big third quarter the Bulldogs got a commanding lead and looked the part of the champion. But there were a lot of anxious .....

GREATER EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Crab Orchard, Gallatin County advance
Trojans, Hawks set for Saturday night special; T'ville tops Pope Co. for seventh

01-27-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG - Despite jumping out to an early lead and never trailing in the semifinal win over Galatia, the Crab Orchard Trojans never were in a comfort zone.
Coach Jon Brown's club, however, managed to overcome some “shaky” moments on both ends of the floor to advance to Saturday night's Greater Egyptian Conference Tournament title game. According to Coach Brown ......

GREATER EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Cats night out at GEC
Wildcats, Cougars post consolation bracket wins
01-26-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG - Although it wasn't an awesome execution of basketball prowess on Thursday night at the Greater Egyptian Conference tournament, head coach Keil Peebles and his Carrier Mills Wildcats will take the 46-44 victory in the consolation bracket semifinals.
Getting a game-best 20-points from senior Brody Walker and withstanding a Thompsonville rally in the final minutes, Carrier Mills moved into .....
NATIONAL TRAIL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Indians romp past Neoga
Altamont advances 67-49; WSS tops CH-BC to reach championship semfinals

01-25-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
ALTAMONT - The Altamont Indians took care of business on Wednesday night in their opening game of the 82nd annual National Trail Conference tournament.
Coach John Niebrugge saw his club put together a big first quarter run fueled by a pressing defense that forced Neoga into mistakes.
His team also cleaned up their own messes on the night as the Tribe improved to 11-9 on the season with a strong, dominating 67-49 win in the quarterfinals.

Woodlawn's rally produces MTC win
Cardinals' catch Grayville late, 58-53 for fourth straight win

01-24-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
WOODLAWN – The Woodlawn Cardinals were coming off of an emotional three-game run to win the Midland Trail Conference Tournament last week and were back to the .500 mark after a tough start of the season.
In other words, they were primed for a let down. Coaches consider games right after tournaments “trap” games and Coach Brian Gamber and the Cardinals were .....

GREATER EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Gallatin County advances past Tigers
Hawks grounded early, soar late, top Thompsonville; NCOE shocks CM

01-23-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG - According to Gallatin County head coach Doug Miller, his team always has trouble with the Thompsonville Tigers.
And for a half of basketball on Monday night at the Greater Egyptian Conference Tournament his Hawks struggled.
But his club, the ABV third-ranked 1A team in this week's rankings, fought through the issues and used a third quarter run to take advantage of some mistakes by the Tigers.

NASHVILLE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Cougars "tie up" 'Shoes, win NIT
Breese Central's defensive effort beats Teutopolis, 50-38; Nashville downs BMD

01-21-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE - Contrasting styles can sometimes make a game much more interesting in basketball. But generally speaking if one style dominates, it can lead to some frustration for other team.
On Saturday night in the finale of the Nashville Invitational Tournament, Breese Central head coach Jeremy Schubert knew his Cougars couldn't allow the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes to score a lot of points.

OKAWVILLE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Rockets stay unbeaten in OIT
Okawville's fourth quarter scoring burst takes care of Madison;
Gibault beats Wesclin, Rockets face Hawks in Saturday championship

01-20-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE – In Friday night's 60-37 victory over Madison, the host Okawville Rockets didn't look like the state's top ranked team in 1A for most of the contest.

Coach Jon Kraus was exactly happy about the way his team performed overall but as the saying goes, “a win is a win.”
The Trojans hung close to the hosts on this night and trailed just .....

BENTON INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Pinckneyville starts slow, finishes fast
Panthers' big second half dooms Devils; Rangers rally past Carlyle; Bobcats tame Foxes

01-18-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
BENTON
- For even the best of teams, there are some nights that don't go as well as planned.
The first half of the Pinckneyville Panthers' contest against Sesser-Valier at the 44th annual Benton Invitational Tournament on Wednesday night would be considered a “clunker” of a performance.

LITCHFIELD INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Nokomis "tops" Toppers
Redskins move to final four, 44-43; Civic Memorial, Mt. Zion, Taylorville triumph

01-17-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
LITCHFIELD – For the Nokomis Redskins, the way they play basketball never really changes from year-to-year under long time head coach Steve Kimbro.

Even though the faces and names change, the 1-2-2 zone defense and .....

Tigers shoot down Woodlawn
Nessler nails eight 3-pointers, Spell adds double-double, Herrin wins 66-51

01-14-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
HERRIN – With a decided height advantage, the Herrin Tigers had intended on pounding the ball inside against the smaller Woodlawn Cardinals in their annual Saturday night January contest.

But when they struggled to breech the Woodlawn 1-3-1 defense, Coach Mike Mooneyham saw his club go to an outside attack.

Sesser-Valier "blows" past Tornadoes
Red Devils use big second quarter, roll to 85-56 triumph

01-14-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER – Putting together a great second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the Sesser-Valier Red Devils erased whatever momentum that their opponents had after the first eight minutes.

Visiting Zeigler-Royalton, behind an outside scoring offensive, took a 19-18 lead at the end of the first period of play.

The list of the postponed games for tonight and Saturday can be found by clicking the (SCORES) link. ABV is working on updates today and will post any official postponed games immediately upon confirmation. Please remember to "REFRESH" your pages each visit to get the updated listing.
Thanks
Jack
Hornets handle DQ
Nashville shuts down Indians, Kemp powers inside for 19-points in win

01-12-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE – The Nashville Hornets had some issues offensively on Thursday night against SIRR Mississippi Division rival Du Quoin in a contest moved up a day because of the impending ice storm that is expected on Friday in southern Illinois.

Coach Brad Weathers, however, had one key determining factor which is .....

South Central edges Hatchets
Cougars rally with 15-1 third quarter run, overcome fourth quarter trouble
Markley nails game winning 3-pointer, adds late free throw for NTC triumph

01-10-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
FARINA
- On Tuesday night in a key matchup at home against Windsor-Stewardson-Strasburg, the South Central Cougars made a big run in the third quarter to take command and then held on for dear life the rest of the way.

Coach Jamie VanScyoc saw his troops put together a 15-1 move to take the .....

Century outworks JC
Centurions control the glass, hold off Indians' rallies, 69-63

01-09-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
ULIN
- The very first possession of Monday night's contest against Century on the road turned out to be a bad omen for Johnston City and their head coach Jerry Hampleman.

With the Centurions having the ball and the Indians on defense, Century missed four consecutive shots but grabbed all four of the rebounds.

The Pairings for the GEC Tournament have been released. Cick on the Tournaments Link to view.
The Pairings for the Pinckneyville Showcase have been released. Click on the Shootouts Link to view.
Rockets edge Nashville
Okawville uses 9-0 to get 69-63 win; improve to 13-2

01-06-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE
Heading into Saturday night's game at Washington County rival Okawville, coach Brad Weathers and his Nashville Hornets weren't in the best of moods after dropping a tough decision on the road at Pinckneyville on Friday night.

By the end of their contest on Saturday, the mood wasn't any better.

Hardin County hammers Demons
Cougars never look back in lopsided win over winless Dongola

01-05-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
DONGOLA
After beginning their season 2-8, including not winning a game in either of their first two tournaments, the Hardin County Cougars were looking for some success when they opened the second half of their regular season schedule on Thursday night at Dongola.

Foxes beat buzzer, CM
Oakley Dial nets 27-points, nails 30-footer for 55-52 win

01-03-17
BY JACK BULLOCK
MCLEANSBORO
- In a season in which wins have been tough to come by for the Hamilton County Foxes, it helps when a senior can step up and deliver a victory.

On Tuesday night Hamilton County turned to veteran guard Oakley Dial .....

DONGOLA CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT
Joppa takes tourney title
Rangers rally past Elverado, force three-way tie, win championship with tiebreaker

12-30-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
DONGOLA
 The popular tee-shirt slogan that has been all the rage in the past year was a fitting epitaph for the final game of the 5th annual Dongola Christmas Round-Robin.

Coach Zach Essex and his Joppa Rangers can now put a .....

VANDALIA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Bulldogs "scorch" Pana for title
St. Anthony finishes VHT 5-0 with victory; Patoka holds off Flora for third

12-29-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
VANDALIA
It's doubtful that the Effingham St. Anthony Bulldogs could have played a better game than they did Thursday night in the championship game of the Vandalia Holiday Tournament.

In a rematch from a game earlier in the week in Pool A, a contest in which .....

PINCKNEYVILLE "DUSTER THOMAS HOOPS CLASSIC"
Panthers were "up to the challenge"
Pinckneyville rallies late for title game win over Benton; Carterville takes third

12-28-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE -
At halftime of the championship game of the 10th annual Duster Thomas Hoops Classic, Pinckneyville Panthers head coach Bob Waggoner wasn't happy at all.

His club wasn't playing up to the level in which he wanted and he let his club know about it in the lockerroom as his Panthers trailed 29-22 at the break after .....

SESSER-VALIER HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Woodlawn keeps title hopes alive
Cardinals survive foul trouble, advance past Meteors, 52-44
Waltonville, Christopher, Sesser-Valier join Cardinals in semifinals

12-27-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER
Playing without one of their key players in the first half of their quarterfinal game on Tuesday afternoon against Marissa-Coulterville, the Woodlawn Cardinals were ripe for an upset at the 36th annual Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament.


Coach Brian Gamber saw his senior leader Blake Wollerman go to the bench .....

VANDALIA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
St. A romps past Vandals
Bulldogs begin VHT 2-0; Pana also 2-0; Patoka holds off Shelbyville

12-26-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
VANDALIA – If there was any doubt who the top-seeded team was coming into the 45th annual Vandalia Holiday Tournament, there was little doubt after Monday's opening contests.

The Effingham St. Anthony Bulldogs took no prisoners with two .....

VANDALIA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Bulldogs earn top-seed
St. Anthony awarded favorites' role in 45th annual event

12-26-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
VANDALIA - For the Vandalia Holiday Tournament, the 46th annual that begins on Monday morning, the initial story-line is not about who is there; it is about who is missing.


Four teams from last season, 2015 champion Altamont, Greenville, South Central and St. Elmo-Brownstown are no longer .....

Pinckneyville pounds A-J
Panthers force 23-turnovers, roll to 73-37 SIRR Mississippi Division victory

12-23-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
ANNA
- The winning formula for the Pinckneyville Panthers has always been the same. It begins and ends on the defensive end of the floor.

Friday night's 73-37 domination of Anna-Jonesboro was never in doubt at any time as Coach Bob Waggoner's Panthers put together a complete performance in improving to 7-1 on the season.

Flora tops Bearcats in OT
Wolves rally late, edge Christopher for second win

12-22-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER
The Flora Wolves came into Thursday night's make up game with Christopher desperately needing a victory.

Coach Phil Leib's club have suffered through some tough times .....

ST. ELMO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Vandals survive scare
St. Elmo-Brownstown rally falls short, Vandalia wins championship

12-21-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO – For the first three quarters of Wednesday night's championship game of the St. Elmo Holiday Tournament the Vandalia Vandals could do no wrong.

They dominated every category and were in complete control in a contest that wasn't one. Coach Brian Buscher saw his club take an early 10-2 lead and expanded the .....

Waltonville wins fifth straight game
Spartans use 17-4 run to build big lead, cruise to 61-46 triumph

12-20-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
WALTONVILLE
- The 2016-17 season didn't get off to a great start for the Waltonville Spartans but things have gotten a lot better since.
Coach Tyler Mitchell has witnessed a stark improvement in his club after a 1-2 beginning of the campaign.
After losses to Wayne City and Webber Township at the .....

Blackcats parade past Cobden
Goreville shakes off layoff rust, pulls away from Appleknockers late, 77-67

12-19-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
COBDEN
- Because of scheduling and inclement weather, the Goreville Blackcats were on a sabbatical of sorts.
Having not played a basketball game since December 3 in their own invitational tournament, Coach Todd Tripp's team took a long time to get the offense going in its matchup on the road against Cobden Monday night.

CONRAD ALLEN WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Warriors win WCHT
Defensive effort overcomes offensive issues in 41-40 triumph

12-17-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY – It wasn't an offensive “gem” of a game for the Patoka Warriors on Saturday after in the title game of the Conrad Allen Wayne City Holiday Tournament.

However the defensive effort shined like a “diamond” as the Warriors came up with the big stops late in the contest to take home the “gold.”

CONRAD ALLEN WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Patoka outlasts Trojans
Cain, Belcher come up big in Warriors victory
Red Hill's Vinsel nets 47-points in win over Cisne; Fairfield JV tops Grayville

12-14-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY – As the old saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

In their contest against Webber Township at the Wayne City Holiday Tournament on Wednesday night, Patoka was in trouble in the early part of the fourth quarter.
The Warriors had given up a lead after committing four turnovers in the first 1:12 of play as Webber took at 42-37 lead.

ST. ELMO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Bobcats hold off Aces
CH-BC edges MG, 67-64; Host Eagles wallop Clay City, 91-19

12-13-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO – Cowden-Herrick-Beecher City made a ton of mistakes on Tuesday night in their quarterfinal game against Mulberry Grove at the 57th annual St. Elmo Holiday Tournament.
But late in the contest the good finally outweighed the bad as they managed to do enough things right on this cold night to get a victory to advance to the semifinals.

ST. ELMO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Eagles host talented teams
57th annual event has newcomers Cumberland, Vandalia

12-13-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO – The top-seed St. Elmo-Brownstown will have its hands full as the 57th annual St. Elmo Holiday Tournament begins on Tuesday night.
A strong field, with the addition of two 2A teams this year, highlight what could be a very good tournament, especially on the final day.

The 36th annual Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament bracket has been posted
CONRAD ALLEN WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Red Hill handles Webber to win opener
Wayne City stays unbeaten, Patoka, Crab Orchard suffer first day upsets

12-10-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY – The Red Hill Salukis have played against some tough competition this season and that seasoning paid off in its first game of the 63rd annual Conrad Allen Holiday Tournament on Saturday against one of the tourney favorites Webber Township.
Coach Bryan Havill has a strong backcourt leader named Kameron Vinsel who has been in a lot of big games in his four-year career.

CONRAD ALLEN WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Wayne City hosts balanced field

12-10-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY – The 63rd annual Conrad Allen Wayne City Holiday Tournament will begin on December 10 with a field of eight teams vying for the title with at least seven of the teams with a legitimate shot at the championship.

The tournament will feature three teams that have already won tournament titles this season.

Altamont shuts down Cougars
Indians blanket South Central, improve to 4-3 on the season
Cornett, Childerson power Altamont inside offensive attack

12-09-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
FARINA
- Altamont head coach John Niebrugge knows, like most basketball coaches have found out over the years, that on nights when the offense isn't there the defense should make up the difference. On Friday in the their conference opener at South Central, the Indians made up for their rough going with the ball by making things even tougher on the hosts when they had 'the rock'.

Vienna gets key road win
Eagles outwork host Chester on the glass, win 51-48

12-07-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHESTER
- When a team at home doesn't feel comfortable, it usually means the opposition has created a disruptive setting. On Wednesday night in their first ever Black Diamond West Division game, the Vienna Eagles went on the road and became a royal pain to their hosts. After not playing a game since November 26th, the Eagles could have came out flat on this night.

Webber makes early lead stick
Helm, Neal come up big in Trojans' victory; 14-1 run sets tone in triumph

12-06-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLUFORD
Setting the tone of a contest early against a conference rival can be very beneficial.
The Webber Township Trojans jumped out to an early lead and never allowed Midland Trail Conference sibling Odin back in the contest.
The Trojans were in no mood to “help a brother out” on Tuesday night, jumping out to a 14-1 advantage in route to a 67-49 win over the Eagles in the league .....

Vandalia Holiday Tournament Pairings Have Been Released.
Click The Tournament Link To View The Pairings
Hornets nab tourney title
Nashville completes 4-0 week, defeats host Wesclin, 61-52
Columbia rallies past Lebanon in overtime for third

12-03-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
TRENTON – The Nashville Hornets captured the title of the 19th annual Wesclin/Lebanon Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday night with a 61-52 win over the host Warriors.
Coach Brad Weathers' club wasn't perfect on this night, but his 4-0 club had very few flaws.
In the victory the Hornets committed just three turnovers and, despite missing three consecutive free throws in the final quarte .....

Freeburg wins home opener
Midgets "big" first quarter proves too "tall" an order for New Athens to overcome

12-01-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
FREEBURG
- The Freeburg Midgets have gotten off to a very fast start this season, as they went 3-1 at the Metro-East Lutheran Thanksgiving Tournament last week. They opened their first home game of the season on Thursday in the same way.
With a very fast start.
Jumping out to a quick lead with a torrential downpour of .....
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Steeleville, Trico, Chester post wins
Warriors drill Shawnee, Trico hounds Bulldogs; Yellow Jackets sting Red Bud

11-30-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
CAMPBELL HILL
- For the Steeleville Warriors and head coach Bryce Bainter, the Trico Tournament can prove to be a long week. On Wednesday night the Warriors got a breather of sorts as they took care of Shawnee in quick fashion. Steeleville led from the outset, with only a couple of ties early, and romped to a 72-17 victory with a continuous clock being used in the fourth quarter. The Warriors .....

JC, Benton, Goreville post wins
Indians overtake A-J, Benton blasts Hardin County; Blackcats best Foxes

11-29-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
GOREVILLE
- For the Johnston City Indians, things are looking up.
Head coach Jerry Hampleman has his team playing well in the opening week of the season and on Tuesday night at the Goreville Invitational Tournament, Johnston City showed the kind of effort and enthusiasm he has been looking for since he took over the job four years ago.
They got off to a good beginning and closed the deal in .....

Carmi-White County tops Indians
Bulldogs grit out 51-45 win over host Du Quoin
Sesser-Valier rallies past Lovejoy

11-28-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
DU QUOIN – On
the opening night of the Du Quoin Tip-Off Tournament, the host Indians played like a team that hadn't had much time to practice, due to a lengthy run in the football playoffs (semifinal round) which ended just nine days earlier.

Despite doing a lot of things well on the floor on Monday night DQ made too many costly mistakes, especially late in the game, when they had .....

Patoka nabs second-straight MG title
Cain, Belcher lead Warriors rally past St. Elmo-Brownstown
South Central, North Clay, Ramsey post final day wins

11-26-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
MULBERRY GROVE
- The St. Elmo-Brownstown Eagles opened up their contest against the Patoka Warriors on Saturday night and played perhaps the best basketball they could possibly play.
Coach Greg Feezel's club blistered the Warriors in the early going, hitting 6-of-8 3-point attempts while taking an 11-point lead at the end of the first .....

Wayne City tops Waltonvile in OT
Landon Willett nails buzzer-beating halfcourt shot, Indians advance 61-58

11-25-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER –“If there's a Willett, there's a way.”
According to Wayne City head coach Don Kueper, senior guard Landon Willett has hit some big shots for his program all throughout his prep career.
But his shot on Friday night to beat the buzzer in overtime against Waltonville in the semifinals of the Christopher Thanksgiving Tournament topped them all.

Trojans romp past Elverado
Crab Orchard improves to 4-0; Falcons fall to 3-1
Pope County, Joppa add wins on Friday

11-25-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
CRAB ORCHARD – In an afternoon battle of unbeaten teams at the Crab Orchard Thanksgiving Tournament on Friday, the contest began with both teams seemingly underneath a post-turkey day hangover.
However the host Trojans, after a few minutes of cold shooting in the first quarter, quickly heated up. Missing their first eight shots from beyond the arc, the Trojans struggled.

Edwards County wins Turkey Tourney
Lions pounce on Bison with 17-0 run, hold off late rally for 74-60 win
Gallatin County romps past winless Cisne, 75-45

11-23-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
GRAYVILLE
The Edwards County Lions are off to a very good start to their season and, thanks to a big run at the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third, they are now Grayville Turkey Tournament champions.
Getting a strong performance from their young backcourt early their veteran frontcourt at the end, the Lions improved their record to 3-0 to begin the season following a .....

Joppa edges Pope County
Rangers hold off Pirates' rally, improve to 2-0
Elverado, Crab Orchard both 2-0 after Turkey Tourney triumphs

11-22-16
BY JACK BULLOCK
CRAB ORCHARD
Figuring out how to win close ballgames is a learned skill and not something that comes naturally to most young kids playing high school basketball.
But for head coach Zach Essex and his Joppa Rangers, the learning curve is getting smaller by the day. Jumping out to a early lead, the Rangers held off a second half rally from Pope County and survived a last-second field goal attempted the hit the rim and .....

ABV Preview Scheduled For Monday, November 21, 2016
Greetings ABV Fans!!!
The annual preview is finished. It took a few hours longer to get it done this year
Although the some of the usual teams didn't submit and info this season, 90 percent did and that is par for the course in the ABV universe.
The preseason rankings are also complete. Don't forget to refresh your pages for updates.
Click on the preview link at the top of each page to navigate.
In have nearly all of the schedules and the tournaments going on this week the brackets have been also posted.
One thing you will notice about this preview. There are no player photos on the pages.
I had a few decent photos I could have used, but the pages laid out better without them so I opted out of the art work.
Pay attention to some of the new advertisers here. They are the reason I can do this site and travel to the ballgames.
Now the season begins.
I hope you enjoy reading it and coming back to for the rest of the season.
Thanks
Jack
Click on the Archives link for 2015-16 Stories