01/20/2025
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Mother Nature 1, Southern Illinois Basketball 0.

That was basically the way things went for high school hoops for the previous week and a half with multiple games postponed and canceled around Little Egypt.

Yes, there is a difference between the terms.

But when the games resumed last week there were some key battles that affected not only the rankings but potentially the postseason seedings.

Pinckneyville lost a heartbreaking game to Benton in the title game of the Duster Thomas Classic back in December, which made circling date on the calendar for the rematch on January 17 easy to do.

A big second half and a strong defensive showing gave the Panthers a 51-36 victory at Rich Herrin Gym in front of a large, postseason type atmosphere crowd.

AJ Keith, a 6-5 senior forward, poured in 20-points, 13 in the second half in the win as they ended Benton's winning streak at 16.

Coach Matt Laur has his squad playing well heading into the Sparta “Mid-Winter Classic” this week as they ended a long run at the Benton Invitational Tournament.

As for the Rangers they will have work to do this week as they host their 50th annual as the top-seed.

Belleville Althoff, who plays arguably the toughest schedule of all the 2A teams in the Deep South, are face a group of 4A teams this week at the Belleville East Invitational.

Breese Central heads to Nashville to face a pretty good field as they will open today with 3A Mascoutah (10-6) and could end up with 3A Marion in the semifinals.

The Cougars look to be finding their best stride since losing to crosstown nemesis Mater Dei back in December.

Murphysboro keeps playing well, with just a pair of defeats to 3A Herrin and Benton and they put together a strong road showing at Carterville Friday.

They're in the opposite pool of the Sparta tournament and could end up dancing with Pinckneyville Saturday night in the title tilt of the 60th annual.

Still the wild card team in the southern Illinois 2A postseason picture is Columbia.

Coach Mark Sandstrom's club can be really good at times but they struggled against some top competition so far, being blown out in a couple of shootouts.

But the tools are there for a big final few weeks as they're part of a Death Valley of a sub-sectional that features a bunch of teams on this list.

Carlyle holds a decisive win over Pinckneyville early but have a loss against Wesclin and will need to even things with the Warriors if they want at least a share of the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division.

Nashville have dropped games to some good ones but they will get a chance with some games in front of them, including a game tonight at home against Breese Mater Dei.

The Knights lost to Effingham St. Anthony on Friday night but they head into the NIT winners of 8-of-9.

Wesclin have faced a quality schedule so far with all six of the defeats coming against teams with winning records.

In Class 1A, Effingham St. Anthony picked up an impressive win over Mater Dei on the road.

Coach Cory Rincker and his club probably still think about the disappointment from last February when the top-ranked Bulldogs lost to Arcola in the 1A Regional final at Okaw Valley.

St. A are heavy favorites heading into the 89th annual National Trail Conference tournament next week and they have won 14-straight since a November 30 loss at home to Breese Central at the Bulldogs annual Thanksgiving event.

The other loss came against 4A Edwardsville in the same tourney.

They will travel to 2A St. Joseph-Ogden on Friday, a team that has won 8-of-9.

Waltonville continues to impress.

Coach Anthony Lowery has his club playing well and they have a pair of tournament championship titles in the trophy case.

In the next two weeks the schedule gets much tougher.

The MTC tournament has a possible matchup with Webber Township and the following weekend the Spartans will play at Marion of Friday and then will play Centralia at the Pinckneyville Showcase on Saturday.

Casey-Westfield earned the number three seed at the 53rd annual Little Illini Conference tournament.

Coach Tom Brannan and his Warriors have a tough game at Richland County on Tuesday.

Goreville have a sectional-complex that they should be one of the top two seeds along with Mounds Meridian.

The Blackcats and Bobcats are two of just five teams in their sub-sectional that have winning records.

Of the two teams Meridian's schedule has been a bit tougher so far.

Tuscola won its first 14 contests before losing 3-of-4 and the Warriors' path to Champaign will be thorny as they look to have a St. Anthony and Casey-Westfield in their sub-sectional.

Dieterich is not without a chance of making a long postseason journey.

The Movin' Maroons haven't won a regional since 2017-18 but they have enough talent to make a challenge.

Webber Township have gelled since an season opening loss and have one of the top scorers in the state and will host a regional that could feature some of the same teams they beat on their way to the sectional last winter.

They will likely face Waltonville on Saturday at home in the MTC tourney finale.

Edwards County have played well and have split two contests with Webber so far.

The Lions should be another of the teams not to be counted out in February.

Okaw Valley got off to a horrendous beginning of the season but they have played well since, losing just once (Greenville) at the Vandalia Holiday Tournament since December 10.