03-07-04
PREVIEW
MASSAC COUNTY VS. PINCKNEYVILLE
CARBONDALE CLASS A SUPERSECTIONAL
BY JACK BULLOCK
One team who is very familiar with the SIU Arena floor will face one that hasn't stepped foot on it since March of 2000 at this year's Class A Carbondale Supersectional.

The Pinckneyville Panthers and Coach Dick Corn will be playing on their 'home away from home' Tuesday night.

These 'Cats play in the Carbondale Holiday Tournament in December and this season they played four games, reaching the consolation title game.

On the other hand, Massac County hasn't been to SIU Arena for a game since losing to Nashville 68-59 at the 2000 Class A Supersectional.

"I saw them play earlier in the year when they weren't playing very well," said Hosman, who's school has won 20 regional titles but are making just their second supersectional appearance.
"But I know Coach Corn has them playing well right now to get to this point."

Coach Joe Hosman will have to get his team prepared for a Panther squad that is playing its best basketball of the season.

"They (Pinckneyville) thumped us pretty good this summer but we didn't have Jacobs then," added Hosman. "I think that may help us going into the game. Maybe they will take us lightly."

The Panthers (25-6) have 6-8 senior Daniel Maddox roaming the lane for Coach Dick Corn.

The lefty is averaging right at 13 p.p.g. for a Pinckneyville team that has won 12-straight games since losing a 69-52 decision to Cairo back on January 24 at the Benton Invitational Tournament.

Maddox showed lots of versatility this season, scoring from all over the court. The lefty can bury the '3' or pound the ball inside.

Other than Maddox, the Panthers have a lot of balance on the offensive end.

Mason Woodside, a 6-4 junior, scores right at 10 points a game while 6-2 senior Eric Stutes (12 p.p.g.) is one of three other starters (Josh Kellerman and Derek Beninati) that are all right behind Maddox in scoring.

"We have beaten two state-ranked teams (Cairo and Lisle) this year and that is a tribute to how hard we have worked. I have been pleased with what we have accomplished this season," Hosman said. "But beating Pinckneyville will be tough to do."

The Patriots are led by Matt Jacobs, a 6-2 senior guard who averages 18 points a game. His 3-pointer with :04 left Friday night gave Massac County a 74-73 win over West Frankfort at the Eldorado Class A Sectional.

Six-eight Gerren Rogers does the majority of the dirty work in the paint for Coach Hosman. He is posting numbers of 14 points and eight rebounds a night.

Six-five swingman Dominique Petty is scoring 12 points a night and provides Massac County with another 3-point shooter besides Jacobs.

One of the pleasant surprises during the season has been the play of Justin Kindle, a 6-4 junior. He is just under 10 points a game for the Patriots and does a lot of 'underneath the basket' work.

The Patriots and Panthers have five common opponents.

Cairo, Murphysboro, Harrisburg, Benton and Herrin.

Massac and Pinckneyville have both lost to Murphysboro and have beaten Harrisburg, Herrin and Benton.

However Pinckneyville lost to Cairo while the Patriots pulled the biggest upset of the post-season by beating the top ranked Pilots nine days ago.

Massac County beat fellow SIRR Ohio teams Benton and West Frankfort last week to win the Eldorado Sectional.

Pinckneyville pulled the same trick last week at the Sparta Sectional, topping SIRR Mississippi clubs Anna-Jonesboro and Nashville to reach the Carbondale Supersectional.

Having won 22 regional titles, Coach Corn now has the state record for the most regional championships.

Coach Hosman has brought home 10 regional titles.