|  02/28/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE - On Tuesday night
the Pinckneyville Panthers proved once again that the formula
of defense and rebounding is still the best way to win a high
school basketball game.
And
it didn't hurt that they put three players in double-figures
while shutting down nearly every Massac County player on Tuesday
night in their sectional semifinal.
The
Panthers ended Massac County's season with a 56-43 triumph in
front of a large crowd at Duster Thomas Gymnasium as Coach Bob
Waggoner's squad moved to within one victory of the program's
21st sectional championship.
The
defense forced a poor shooting night from Coach Joe Hosman's
club as the Patriots long range shots didn't find the mark on
a night when they needed more to fall.
Massac
County ended it's season at 25-6 as they were just 2-of-16 from
the 3-point line and 18-of-46 overall.
Six-foot
junior Isaac Hosman was the lone bright spot offensively for
the Patriots as the point guard guard led all scorers with 19
points.
But
no other Patriot scored double-figures in the loss.
“We
made him (Hosman) earn them (points) and we didn't let their
other guys get free and set-shoot,” said Coach Waggoner.
On
the contrary the Panthers had three players in double-figures
and were able to get to the foul line to put the game away in
the final minutes as Pinckneyville now sits at 27-6.
Six-foot
senior guard Pearson Launius and 5-11 junior guard Hunter Smith
each scored 14 points in the win while 6-5 senior forward Reid
Harriss added 12.
Despite
some foul trouble 6-6 senior forward Karsen Konkel scored eight
points as the Panthers were able to score on the inside against
Massac County, including 10 offensive rebounds that led to many
second chance points.
“I
thought he (Konkel) set the tempo of how we wanted to play inside.
We held them (Massac) to 'one-and-done' and they didn't have
an answer for him on the offensive end,” said Coach Waggoner.
“They
(Pinckneyville) played really good defense on us and when the
big kid (Konkel) was in there he kind of punished us on the
boards and he did what he wanted to,” said Coach Hosman.
“A lot of them (offensive rebounds) was #45. He wasn't
in there a whole lot tonight but when he was I sure noticed
him.”
The
Patriots never led in the game but forged three different tie
scores in the first quarter.
Hosman
scored seven of his points in the first eight minutes, including
a conventional three-point play as he finished a drive to the
basket while being fouled by Konkel.
His
made free throw made it 7-7 at the 4:25 mark.
Following
a score by Launius, Hosman added another basket in the lane.
Pinckneyville
then closed out the quarter with five consecutive points.
Harriss
scored on a mid-range shot and Smith converted a fast break
lay in.
Launius
closed the quarter with 1-of-2 free throws for a 14-9 lead heading
to the second quarter.
Senior
guard Brody Smallman finished with six points on the night on
a pair of 3-pointers.
His
first one opened the second quarter and 6-6 senior forward Ian
Higgerson scored inside to tie the game for the final time at
14-14 less than a minute in.
The
Panthers then went on an 11-2 run.
Smith
canned the second of his three 3-pointers for the game to open
the barrage.
Konkel
scored twice on the inside with one of the scores coming off
of one of the Panthers five first half offensive rebounds.
AJ
Keith got in on the scoring for Pinckneyville on a cut to the
basket and Harriss added another score for a 25-16 lead.
Although
Hosman added another basket, the Panthers got a Launius drive
that closed the scoring at 27-18 Pinckneyville at the half. |
The
Patriots looked like they were going to make a game of it in the
third quarter as they got on track offensively for Coach Hosman.