By Jim Muir
Sometimes in sports it’s not as important how you start as it is how you finish.
After struggling throughout the week, the Sesser-Valier Red Devils finished the Du Quoin Tip Off Classic on a strong note by grabbing their first win of the season – a 72-44 victory over Massac County.
“We played pretty well,” said S-V Coach Shane Garner. “Our defense was pretty solid and forced some turnovers that we were able to capitalize on. Our shot selection was better which led to better offensive production.”
The Red Devils outscored the Patriots in every quarter but put the game away in the third frame. Leading only 31-26 at the intermission, S-V outscored Massac County 25-11 in the third quarter to take a commanding 56-47 lead into the final quarter.
Garner said the turnovers – a problem for his team in three losses this week at Du Quoin – improved on Saturday night.
“We still had some unforced turnovers in the first half but I thought we did a much better job in the second half,” Garner said. “It was good to get the first win under our belt.”
S-V’s Tyler Winchester grabbed game scoring honors as he tallied 25 points and hit five 3-pointers. Also in double figures for the Red Devils was Eli Gunter with 13 points and Lukas Gunter with 12. Rounding out the S-V scoring, Josh Gunter and Addison Page added seven points each, Preston Launius had six points and Peyton Rock added two points.
In a Saturday afternoon game the Red Devils were defeated by Carmi-White County by a score of 56-41. S-V has little time to rest after four games in the opening week of the season as they will host always tough Okawville in the home opener on Tuesday, December 5.
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