01/27/2025
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - It was a rough mid-winter week for some of the teams in the ABV rankings while others reaffirmed their status as ones to watch in the postseason.

Althoff in 2A beat Belleville East, Belleville West and Collinsville to win the Belleville East event as they continue to beat 3A and 4A teams on their tough schedule.

Pinckneyville rolled to a Sparta Mid-Winter title, topping Murphysboro in the finale.

The Panthers are part of a loaded sub-sectional that will feature multiple 20-game winners by the time we get to February 24.

Breese Central took it on the chin in a semifinal loss to 3A Marion in the semifinals at Nashville then beat the Hornets for third place.

The Cougars have a lot of work to do between now and the postseason.

Columbia has won the last four Okawville Invitational Tournament championships, beat Wesclin in the final.

The Eagles will be a major player in that same sub-sectional.

Murphysboro was ever so close to winning the Sparta tournament but couldn't get past Pinckneyville in the end.

Wesclin moves up with a good showing at Okawville as the seven losses are to good ones.

Both Carlyle and Wesclin are part of the loaded sub-sectional as the Indians fell short against Columbia and 3A Highland at Okawville.

Nashville beat Mater Dei but lost to both 3A Waterloo and Breese Central last week.

Mater Dei rebounded from the Nashville loss to beat Metro-East Lutheran and Mascoutah at Nashville.

Benton took the biggest tumble of the week as they were dominated by Meridian in the title game at home in the BIT.

The Rangers will need to regroup this week.

In 1A Effinghm St. Anthony hasn't lost since Thanksgiving weekend and have been beating some good teams.

Waltonville remains undefeated by taking down Webber Township in the MTC finale.

Mounds Meridian moves up the chart with a convincing showing at the BIT, beating Vandalia, 3A Herrin and Benton, a game where they led by double-digits most of the contest.

Casey-Westfield faces the LIC tournament field this week at Lawrenceville after beating top-seed Olney Richland County last week.

Goreville had an impressive week, topping Paducah (KY.) St. Mary to win the Massac County “Superman” Classic.

The Blackcats and Bobcats will be the top two seeds in the deep south 1A sub-sectional.

Their tough schedule finally caught up to Tuscola but the Warriors have time to get ready for the postseason.

Webber Township hung with Waltonville for three quarters before falling in the MTC title game.

Edwards County is another of the teams with a legitimate shot at postseason hardware.

Dieterich is the number-two seed at the NTC this week but they will need to play better to beat Altamont, who topped the Movin' Maroons last week, in a potential NTC semifinal.