Rangerettes and Lady Redbirds, both unbeaten, set to renew rivalry in Ohio Division showdown

By Jim Muir

Through the generations Franklin County rivals Benton and West Frankfort have gotten together for some memorable match ups in multiple sports and many times on the line was a conference title, a regional championship or a chance to advance down the post season trail.

And for more than 70 years it was a holiday tradition as both schools celebrated their respective homecomings at Thanksgiving and then battled in the 2 p.m. Turkey Day football game. Alumni from both schools still point out that the Thanksgiving Day match up was more than a game, it was ‘the’ game. Forget the season records, the team that won the Thanksgiving Day classic had a great year, period. In 1983 the Thanksgiving game was stopped because it interfered with post season football. During the past decade the two school began playing the game on Saturday afternoon with a traveling trophy on the line each year. An indicator of how competitive the football games have been through the years is evident in the overall record that shows through 99 years Benton leads 50-47 with two games ending in a tie.

But of course, even when absolutely nothing is on the line when these two rival communities – separated by only six miles – get together, plain old braggin’ rights is always a big part of the equation.

After a century of competing against each other a new dimension to the rivalry will be added on Monday, Dec. 22 when Benton’s Rangerettes, unbeaten at 10-0 and West Frankfort’s Lady Redbirds, also unbeaten at 11-0, renew old acquaintances at Rich Herrin Gym.

Aside from the rivalry and unblemished records for both teams, also factor in that this is an important conference match up, both teams hail from the SIRR Ohio Division, and both coaches have ties to the opposing community – Benton coach Andy Sloan is a West Frankfort High School graduate where he was a multi-sport standout and West Frankfort coach Matt Hampleman is the nephew of Harry Stewart, the late legendary coach who played and coached for Benton, the first of three generations of Stewarts who competed for Benton in the annual Turkey Day game.

And just for good measure add in that local sports historians from both communities can’t recall any match up between Benton and West Frankfort in any sport when both teams entered with unbeaten records.

Still, both coaches are playing down the hype – or at least trying to play it down.

“We know all the intangibles, the rivalry, both teams unbeaten and it’s a conference game,” said Sloan. “But, we have really preached to our kids that this is just another game on our schedule. We have told them over and over that in the conference it is really important to take care of business at home. It’s an important game but it’s not a regional championship or anything like that. This is our eleventh game overall and only our second home game, so we’re glad to be back home as much as anything.”

Hampleman echoed similar sentiments.

“We talk all season about taking things one game at a time and this is really no different than any game on our schedule, but it just happens to be Benton and West Frankfort and both teams are undefeated,” said Hampleman. “It’s a conference game and we just have to worry about taking care of our business.”

Both coaches agreed that from top to bottom the SIRR Ohio Division is as solid this year as any year they can recall, which adds even more importance for Benton in trying to defend its home court.

Hampleman said he felt the early portion of Monday’s game will be very important to his team.

“We have a lot of respect for Benton and what they have accomplished,” said Hampleman. “The biggest key is that we have to get off to a good start and keep our confidence up early-on. They (Benton) are pretty much bigger than us at every position and we definitely have to try and counteract that somehow.”

Hampleman said putting pressure on Benton’s guards and keeping the inside tandem of Cali Carney and Makala Abney in check will be keys for the Lady Redbirds.

“We have to put pressure on the ball, but Carney and Abney are a load down low,” said Hampleman. “But, they are a well-rounded team, they go deep down the bench so shutting down one or two players is not going to stop them.”

Along with Carney (5-foot-7 senior) and Abney (6-foot sophomore) the Rangerettes will start Katie Sandusky (5-foot-7 senior), Ali Gischer (5-foot-4 sophomore) and Marcela Mendez (5-foot-4 junior). Sloan has used a nine-person rotation with key reserves Taylor Mosley (5-foot-8 junior), Cassandra Johnson (5-foot-9 junior), Haley Ing (5-foot-7 junior) and Kaylee Pedigo (5-foot-8 sophomore) all contributing valuable minutes.

Hampleman said he sees the game as a plus for both communities.

“I don’t think either coach planned on this happening this particular way,” said Hampleman. “It’s good for both communities, it’s good for both programs and it’s good for girl’s basketball. It’s a key conference game for us on the road in a hostile environment. It should be a great atmosphere and a lot of fun.”

Sloan said the Rangerettes strong suit this season has been its defense and noted that it will take a big defensive effort from his team to slow down the Lady Redbids.

“I think we have to control the tempo and be good in the half court,” said Sloan. “Defensively for us, Kiarha Wilce and Morgan Griffith are both very, very good players so we have to try and keep them in check. As the point guard Wilce has the ball in her hands all the time so we are going to have to do a really good job of containing her and keep her from penetrating where we have to come off Griffith to guard her. That’s when she really causes problems. We’ve got to do a good job on those two kids and force somebody else to beat us. We’re allowing 34 points a game and they are scoring 56 points a game, so something has got to give.”

The Lady Redbirds, along with Wilce (5-foot-4 senior) and Griffith (5-foot-10 sophomore) will start Terrilynn Summers (5-foot-6 junior), Hannah Melvin (6-foot-1 junior) and Emily Stewart (5-foot-10 junior). Key reserves for West Frankfort are Lindsey Williams (5-foot-4 senior) Bobbie Jo Wegrzyn (5-foot-6 senior), Jaidon Sailliez (5-foot-10 junior) and Cali Wright (5-foot-7 freshmen).

Sloan, who has the distinction of seeing the hotly-contested rivalry from the unique perspective as a player for West Frankfort and a coach for Benton, said the familiarity that players have through social media has added a new dynamic.

“It’s all strange with the social media,” said Sloan. “I’ve had kids come to me and say they heard this on Facebook or something on Twitter or that Frankfort is bringing a pep bus. It’s definitely added a new component to the rivalry. It’s funny that we are both 10 games in and you’re playing a big game. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on my team, I just want them to go out and play and have fun. At the same time I’m not going to lie to them and tell them that this game doesn’t matter because it does and they know that.”

The Monday night match up will be played at Rich Herrin Gymnasium with the JV game starting at 6:15 p.m. and the varsity contest getting underway at approximately 7:45 p.m.