01/16/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
BENTON - The Pinckneyville Panthers took care of the ball on Saturday night in the final game of the 49th annual Benton Invitational Tournament, which allowed them to take care of the business at hand which was the program's 17 title in the long standing 49th annual Benton Invitational Tournament.

Pinckneyville only committed nine turnovers and just two of them in the second half.

The Panthers broke the game's only tie in the early going and never gave up the lead in defeating the host Rangers 51-46 in front of a large crowd at Rich Herrin Gymnasium on Saturday night.

In completing the week 5-0, Coach Bob Waggoner's club sits at 20-3 overall heading into the final weeks of the regular season on a seven-game winning streak.

Another major factor in the game was the play of 6-6 senior center Karson Konkel.

Konkel led all scorers with 23 points while teammate 6-4 sophomore AJ Keith scored all 12 of his points in the second half.

Junior guard Hunter Smith pitched in seven points and senior guard Pearson Launius added four points.

Six-five senior Reid Harriss scored five points, all in the second quarter for Pinckneyville.

“I think he (Konkel) keeps getting more confidence and we're doing a better job of getting the ball into him,” said Coach Waggoner. “I'm happy for our kids, they worked extremely hard and I give credit to our coaches, we were very well prepared.”

For the host Rangers, the old adage 'couldn't get over the hump' fits here.

Coach Ron Winemiller's team couldn't put together the type of runs that would get them a leads they fell to 4-1 on the week at the event and 17-6 overall.

Five-ten junior guard Luke Melvin paced the Rangers with 18 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter as Benton got to within three points twice.

Evan Munoz, a 6-2 junior, scored eight points for Benton and senior Nick Melvin added seven.

Junior Isaac Billington and senior Landon Croslin scored five points each.

After Smith and Croslin exchanged 3-pointers to begin the game, Pinckneyville took control.

Buckets by Launius, who scored twice in the first quarter, and Konkel put the Panthers up 11-6 at the end of the first.

The final score of the quarter came on a Keith steal and assist to Launius, one of three Benton first quarter turnovers.

Harriss came up with a couple of big baskets in the second quarter, with a score off of an inbounds pass and also a drive in the lane.

Konkel added two more inside baskets as the Panthers led 22-18 at the half.

However it was the defense, a trapping zone, employed by Pinckneyville that proved to be the difference for most of the night.

Benton was just 6-of-26 from the floor in the first 16 minutes, and in spite of seven first half turnovers by the Panthers, the visitors led at the break.

“Our guys did a great job of using their length and limiting them to one and done. Our zone defense took away their guard play when they couldn't get in the lane and penetrate like they wanted to,” said Coach Waggoner. “They didn't get open 3's and it kept them out of rhythm. Our guys are just getting better and better at it.”

The Rangers stayed close in the third quarter with a pair of made 3-pointers from Luke Melvin and Munoz.

Those two combined on an assist from Melvin to Munoz for a transition basket to cut the lead down to 35-31 with just under two minutes left.

Konkel added eight more points in the quarter, with a nice spin move in the lane closing the frame at 37-31.

Keith came up with a three big plays in the fourth to help get the Panthers the championship.

His 3-point bomb from the right wing along with a steal and fast break score gave Pinckneyville a 44-39 edge.

His cut to the basket on a pass from Harriss and 3-of-5 free throws by Konkel and Keith gave the Panthers a 51-43 lead.

Luke Melvin hit a 3-pointer with :08 remaining to close the scoring.

Benton can point to their shooting woes for the loss as Coach Winemiller's club didn't hit enough shots to produce the win.

The Rangers finished 17-of-54 from the field, 8-of-23 from 3-point range.

On the contrary Pinckneyville netted 21-of-38 overall and just 2-of-5 from the arc as Coach Waggoner's club took advantage of their size advantage by getting to the rim.

Although Benton edged out a 26-25 rebounding spread, not being able to hit shots against a bothersome Panther zone proved to be the difference.

This will be the final year of the six team round-robin format as the BIT will add a pair of teams next season and go to a traditional eight team bracket for three games for each team instead of the marathon five games in a week.

“I thought our kids did a great job competing on the glass. Unbelievable job of defensive rebounding tonight,” said Coach Winemiller. “I'm proud of our kids. Anytime you can go 4-1 in this tournament you have had a good week. We showed we can play with any good team in southern Illinois.”

VANDALIA 46, SESSER-VALIER 42
Reid Well scored on a four-point play with :49 left in the game as the Vandals held on for a win over the Red Devils on Saturday night.

Well was fouled on a 3-point attempt and nailed down the free throw as Vandalia improved to 11-11 on the season and 2-3 at the BIT.

Well, a 6-1 senior guard, ended up with 15 points while 6-0 senior teammate Matthew Hagy added 10 points for Coach Brian Buscher's club.

Senior Preston Nestrick added eight points in the contest while sophomore Wade Brannon scored seven points.

Sesser-Valier (0-5, 5-15) and head coach Tommy Holder saw the week end with without a victory.

The Red Devils were led in scoring with 10 points apiece from senior Blake Menser and freshman Kyan Short.

Junior guard Jake Hicks hit a pair of fourth quarter 3-pointers and ended up with seven points for S-V.

Sophomore Brandon Menser pitched in seven points as well for the Red Devils who have won just two of their last 10 games.

Well nailed down a pair of second quarter 3-pointers as the Vandals led 22-20 at halftime.

Short hit a 3-pointer as he scored eight fourth quarter points for Sesser-Valier but the rally stalled late in the loss.

Sesser-Valier (42) – Gunter 1 0 0-0 2, Hicks 0 2 1-2 7, K. Short 2 2 0-0 10, Kistner 1 0 0-0 2, Ruffino 0 0 0-0 0, B. Short 2 0 0-0 4, Brandon Menser 2 0 3-4 7, Blake Menser 3 1 1-2 10.
2FG-11, 3FG-5, FT-5-8, PF-16.
Vandalia (46) – Hipsher 0 0 0-0 0, McNary 0 0 0-0 0, Nestrick 3 0 2-3 8, Hagy 1 1 5-8 10, Weill 1 3 4-5 15, Kelly 0 0 0-2 0, Robbins 1 0 0-0 2, Johnson 2 0 0-2 4, Brannon 2 1 0-0 7.
2FG-10, 3FG-5, FT-11-20, PF-11.
Fouled Out – Gunter - Sesser-Valier.
Technical Fouls – None.

Mounds Meridian (61) – Ransom 0 0 3-4 3, Easley 1 0 0-0 2, Glover 1 1 0-0 5, Mackins 32 4 0-0 16, Everage 0 0 0-0 0, Jackson 0 0 2-2 2, Kaufman 3 0 0-0 6, Gatewood, Jr. 8 1 8-13 27, Reed 0 0 0-0 0.
2FG-15, 3FG-6, FT-13-19, PF-27.
Hamilton County (65) – Lueke 0 0 0-0 0, Pike 3 0 2-4 8, Kessler 1 1 6-8 11, Carson 2 0 0-0 4, Zellers 0 0 0-2 0, Neal 1 1 10-10 15, Richards 1 0 1-1 3, Hamson 9 0 6-9 24, Miller 0 0 0-0 0.
2FG-17, 3FG-2, FT-25-34, PF-15.
Fouled Out – Jackson - Mounds Meridian.
Technical Fouls – None.