St. Anthony, Central still on top
Unity still unbeaten, Benton picks up big wins, Tuscola gets back on track

01/16/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - There isn't much to say this week as the top ones are still leading the 1A and 2A packs with both the Bulldogs and Cougars are taking care of their business for coaches Rincker and Shubert.

Central needs wins over 3A Marion and either cross-town rival Mater Dei or St. Louis (MO.) KIPP this weekend to capture the Nashville Invitational Tournament.

St. Anthony is a heavy favorite to snag the 88th annual National Trail Conference Tournament title next week.

Tuscola dropped a pair of games to Unity and Shelbyville but turned around and stunned Teutopolis on the road to stop the losing streak.

Coach Justin Bozarth and his Warriors are searching for some redemption after finishing a disappointing third in the 1A state finals last March.

Like the top two teams, Tuscola also plays a toughened up schedule.

Goreville hasn't lost since early December to 2A Benton and will face Vienna and either Missouri powerhouse Charleston or host Massac County at the 40th annual Metropolis “Superman Classic” this coming weekend.

Mounds Meridian, after taking down 1A Waltonville and 2A Carterville, will now get a shot at Benton at the BIT on Friday night.

Coach David Davis has gotten this program going and have faced some good teams so far in their non-conference schedule.

In 2A Tolono Unity is still undefeated but they have a lot of work to do to get to the Carbondale Super-sectional in March.

Benton defeated Pinckneyville on the road last Friday night and the two long time rivals who are now part of the same conference could face each other for the second time in the BIT title game.

Both Wesclin and Lawrenceville moved into the Top 10 for the first time this season.

Coach Brent Brede's Warriors went through a mid-season lull but appear back on track while Coach Bishop's Indians will face a tough challenge at next week's Little Illini Conference tournament.
1. EFFINGHAM ST. ANTHONY (17-4)
The Bulldogs have five-consecutive wins in the new year.
2. TUSCOLA (17-2)
The Warriors rebounded with a big win over Teutopolis after a pair of defeats.
3. GOREVILLE (18-1)
The Blackcats have a pair of tough games coming at the Superman Classic.
5. MOUNDS MERIDIAN (13-4)
The Bobcats are rolling and will face Benton Friday night at the BIT.
4. CASEY-WESTFIELD (11-7)
The Warriors dropped a decision at 3A Richland County this week. LIC tournament looms.
6. WALTONVILLE (15-3)
The Spartans are trying to get well after a pair of losses on the road last week.
7. ALTAMONT (12-4)
The Indians are on a six-game win streak. Travel to Shelbyville on Friday night.
8. DIETERICH (14-5)
The Movin' Maroons have won three-straight since a narrow loss to Altamont.
9. ARCOLA (15-5)
The Purple Riders have now won eight-straight and are the top-seed at the LPC tournament.
10. WEBBER TOWNSHIP (16-2)
The Trojans' are hoping for a third chance at the Spartans at the MTC on Saturday.
Knocking on the Door in Alphabetical Order: Century, CHBC, Christopher, Cisne, Crab Orchard, Galatia, Grayville, Hardin County, Marissa/Coulterville, New Athens, Nokomis, Okawville, Okaw Valley, Red Hill, Steeleville, St. Elmo/Brownstown, Waterloo Gibault, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg and Woodlawn.

1. BREESE CENTRAL (19-2)
Top-ranked Cougars have won 10-straight. Will face 3A Marion at the NIT on Friday.
2. TOLONO UNITY (17-0)
The Rockets travel to unbeaten 3A powerhouse Mt. Zion on Saturday.
3. BENTON (17-3)
The Rangers will face 1A Mounds Meridian Friday night at the BIT semifinals.
4. PINCKNEYVILLE (15-5)
The Panthers face 3A Herrin in the other semifinal at Benton Friday night.
5. TEUTOPOLIS (12-6)
The 'Shoes topped SJO and lost to Tuscola. The slate doesn't get easier.
6. ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN (15-4)
The Spartans four defeats are to teams that are 63-13.
7. COLUMBIA (15-4)
The Eagles have now won 10-consecutive. Top-seed at Okawville this week.
8. WESCLIN (18-3)
After a couple of mid-December clunkers, the Warriors seem back on track.
9. BELLEVILLE ALTHOFF (11-7)
The Crusaders have played tough 3A/4A teams. A difficult team to face in February.
10. LAWRENCEVILLE (16-2)
The Indians have a 12-game win streak going. LIC tournament should be interesting.
Knocking on the Door in Alphabetical Order: Alton Marquette, Anna-Jonesboro, Breese Mater Dei, Carlinville, Carlyle, Carmi-White County, Carterville, Fairfield, Fithian-Oakwood, Greenville, Hamilton County, Harrisburg, Litchfield, Massac County, Murphysboro, Nashville, Newton, Red Bud, Shelbyville, Sparta, Staunton, Vandalia, and Vienna.