01/10/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE - The formula for winning high school basketball games hasn't changed much over the years.

At least not for programs like Pinckneyville.

Tuesday night at home the Panthers did what they needed to do against Breese Mater Dei, which happens to be what they do best.

Defending the Knights with a strong defensive effort and knocking down its free throws late in the contest, Coach Bob Waggoner's club picked up a key non-conference home win with a 61-55 victory at Duster Thomas Gym.

It is an important win considering the 'logjam' that will likely occur when the coaches meet in February to seed (sort out) the postseason for a loaded with talent Sub-sectional A of the Pinckneyville Sectional.

The Panthers broke away from BMD in the final quarter and survived some late 3-point shooting by the Knights to improve to 14-3 overall for the season.

Out scoring BMD by six at the foul line proved to the difference as the two clubs managed to hit the same about of two-point (12) and three-point (six) field goals.

The Panthers were topped in scoring by Karson Konkel with 15 points as the 6-6 junior forward was a problem near the basket for Coach Cory Arentsen's Knights.

Eight different Pinckneyville players scored in a balanced attack with senior forward Reid Harriss stepping up and hitting some early shots as he finished with 12 points.

Sophomore guard AJ Keith tossed in nine points for the Panthers and three other players (Lane Brokering, Kellen Scott and Hunter Smith) netted six points apiece.

Guard Pearson Launius added five points on 5-of-6 free throws.

“Tonight was one of our best four quarter games, we competed for all four quarters. Even though our offense struggled at times, our defense carried us,” said Coach Waggoner.

Mater Dei saw their mark slip to 9-7 on the year against a schedule that is brutal from beginning to end.

Four players ended up with double-digit scoring totals.

Six-five senior Cole Peppenhorst paced the Knights with 15 points.

Senior Dalton Markus added 13 points and junior guard Drake Wagner added 11.

All 11 of the Wagner points came in the fourth quarter as BMD rallied to nearly catch the hosts.

Senior Jacob Hustedde also finished with 11 for the Knights.

Unfortunately these numbers didn't add up for a win although the squad had the best beginning of the two teams.

Baskets by Markus (2) and Peppenhorst in succession produced a 6-0 lead in the first three minutes.

The Panthers' responded with some long distance shots.

Harriss knocked down two 3-point bombs in the opening quarter and Keith added another.

Brokering banked home a 20-footer from the right wing as the Panthers took their first lead of the game at 14-11.

Hustedde responded with one of his two 3-pointers and the two teams traded buckets to close the frame at 16-16.

“I thought early we shot it well and Reid Harriss kind of set the tone. We missed some shots against Carterville that we normally are going to make but I think tonight,” said Coach Waggoner. “We want our guys to shoot the ball. I think guys get confidence shooting it and I hope it carries on the rest of the season.”

A Keith 3-pointer from the right wing to open the second frame gave the Panthers back the lead for good, although it took until the final minutes of the game to put the Knights away.

Scott contributed a pair of inside scores in the second quarter, with his second coming on a fast break off of a pass from Keith to force a Mater Dei timeout at 25-18 with 5:34 left.

Kunkel added another score and reserve Asher Jausel made 2-of-3 free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt as the Panthers were up 29-23 at the half.

The old adage about not being able to 'get over the hump' described most of the third quarter for Mater Dei.

They got points from Peppenhorst and a 3-pointer by junior guard Nick Lampe to make it 31-30 with just over three minutes left.

However Pinckneyville managed to answer each call with points.

Keith added a drive to the basket for points and Brokering hit his second 3-pointer of the game with :02 left for a 41-34 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

A conventional three-point play with Konkel scoring in the lane on a pump fake basket on a foul by Markus (his fourth foul) pushed the Panthers' lead to 44-34.

“He (Konkel) is a big, strong kid. He is playing his first real year of high school basketball because he has been hurt but he is learning as we go,” said Coach Waggoner. “He continues to get better.”

But then things got interesting as the Panthers had a few defensive lapses that allowed for some open looks.

After not being sharp from the 3-point line, Mater Dei's Wagner nailed a trio of 3-pointers; two of which came on an 8-2 run to breath life into the Knights and a potential comeback.

Hustedde launched a 3-pointer from the right corner that found the mark while he was fouled by Scott.

This turned into a four-point play and suddenly the Knights were back in it down just 48-46 with 4:00 left.

The Panthers ended the hopes of the Knights by being efficient from the foul line in those final four minutes.

Pinckneyville got three consecutive stops on defense and hit 5-of-6 free throws (Konkel, Smith) during that stretch.

After the final made 3-pointer from Wagner, the Panthers stopped the small rally with four more free throws to insure the home triumph.

Scott, Launius and Keith were 4-of-6 to close out the win.

Pinckneyville was slightly better from the field in the game, connecting on 18-of-38 overall and 6-of-13 from downtown.

BMD hit 18-of-44, 6-of-21 from the arc.

The Knights held a 26-18 rebounding edge, including nine offensive boards.

But they couldn't overcome 16 turnovers and a 2-of-11 third quarter shooting mark that put them in a catch up mode the rest of the contest.

The Panthers play a Saturday afternoon game at home against Cairo for their next action while BMD will host 1A ABV ranked Effingham St. Anthony on Friday night before heading to the Nashville Invitational Tournament on Monday to play 3A Marion.

“I thought our focus was good tonight. We did a much better job of rotating and keeping them in front of us. They (Mater Dei) are a very athletic team and if you get broke down their shooters on the wings are very good,” said Coach Waggoner. “They hit some big shots late to get back into the game but for the most part the biggest thing was we competed on the glass with them. We accepted that challenge and that was the difference in the ballgame.”

Breese Mater Dei (55) – Lampe 1 1 0-0 5, G. Peppenhorst 0 0 0-0 0, Winkeler 0 0 0-0 0, Wagner 1 3 0-0 11, Markus 5 0 3-4 13, Hustedde 1 2 3-3 11, C. Peppenhorst 4 0 7-8 15.
2FG-12, 3FG-6, FT-13-15, PF-21.
Pinckneyville (61) – Launius 0 0 5-6 5, Smith 2 0 2-2 6, Jausel 0 0 2-3 2, Queen 0 0 0-0 0, Scott 2 0 2-2 6, Brokering 0 2 0-0 3, Lee 0 0 0-0 0, Keith 1 2 1-2 9, Harriss 3 2 0-0 12, Konkel 4 0 7-13 15.
2FG-12, 3FG-6, FT-19-28, PF-13.
Fouled Out – Markus - Breese Mater Dei.
Technical Fouls – Lampe - Breese Mater Dei.